The Effect of Oral Isotretinoin on Bone Healing in Rabbit Rhinoplasty Model: An Experimental Study

Abstract

Introduction:Since the age at which rhinoplasty is frequently performed is also the age at which acne is frequently seen, a person may be a candidate for both this surgery and isotretinoin therapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of oral isotretinoin on bone healing in rabbit rhinoplasty model.Methods:Twelve one-year-old New Zealand white rabbits (3-4 g, all male) were included in the study. The animals were divided into two groups as experimental (n=6) and control group (n=6). One mg/kg oral isotretinoin and olive oil mixture was given each day orally to the experimental group starting from the surgery day. Lateral nasal osteotomy was performed starting from the distal end of the nasal bone. The rabbits were sacrificed 4 weeks later and the nasal bone specimens were sent for histopathological examination to evaluate bone healing between the groups. Bone healing was classified according to the grading described by Huddleston.Results:Grade 1 bone healing was observed in four samples (66.7%) and grade 2 healing was observed in two samples (33.3%) in the study group. In the control group, three samples (50%) had grade 2 bone healing and the other three samples (50%) had grade 3 bone healing. The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p=0.027).Conclusion:Bone healing was found to be slower in the isotretinoin group than in the untreated group. Although there are studies in the literature reporting that isotretinoin has a positive effect on bone healing, we observed opposite results. Therefore, we think that more experimental and clinical studies are needed to clarify this effect.

Keywords

• isotretinoin
• lateral nasal osteotomy
• bone healing