Presentation Patterns and Surgical Management of the Complications of Thread Rhinoplasty

Abstract

Objectives Nonsurgical rhinoplasty using threads has gained popularity in recent years. While the benefits of this procedure have been emphasized, possible complications and their management are not well-known. This study aimed to present the surgical management and results of the complications of thread rhinoplasty. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of seven patients who underwent revision rhinoplasty due to the complications of thread rhinoplasty from January 2018 to May 2021. The presentation of complications, detailed surgical procedures, and outcomes of revision rhinoplasty were reviewed. Results Visible or extruded threads at the tip were the most common complication, followed by dorsum irregularity. All the threads were unabsorbed and intact in shape, even several years after insertion. Thread removal necessitated careful tissue dissection, resulting in the loss of tip support and dorsal irregularity. To restore the tip support and camouflage the dorsum shape, an autologous tissue graft was needed. Conclusion Removal of threads at the tip and dorsum was accompanied by structural weakening and partial tissue loss, which required tip support restoration and dorsum camouflage.

Keywords

• rhinoplasty
• minimally invasive surgical procedures
• polydioxanone
• complications
• revision surgery