Ethnic rhinoplasty in Iranians: the oral and maxillofacial surgery experience.

PURPOSE: Rhinoplasty is a common esthetic procedure in Iran. The aim of the present study was to evaluate Iranian patient satisfaction. The role of ethnicity in surgical planning was assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined participants aged between 18 and 45 years who underwent primary rhinoplasty. Patients' photographs were analyzed for tip projection, nasolabial angle, and nasofrontal angle. The surgical methods were chosen on the basis of the anatomic part of the nose treated. Patient satisfaction was assessed.

RESULTS: Of 279 participants, 210 (75.53%) had a chief complaint of a large nasal tip. A hump nose was a problem for 230 (82.44%) of the participants. Tip droop was a problem for 248 participants (88.89%). The number who wished to have a natural nose was 213 (76.34%), and 66 (23.66%) preferred to have an exaggerated nose. For the recall phase of the study, 248 patients (89 men, 159 women) agreed to participate. Men were more satisfied than women 1 year after rhinoplasty. Patients with an elevated tip had a higher satisfaction rate than others. The satisfaction level of patients increased when nose projection decreased.

CONCLUSIONS: It seems that tip defining and elevation were major concerns of Iranian surgeons. Iranian patients were satisfied with an elevated and low-profile tip.