Comparison of the Effects of Spreader Graft Versus Spreader Flap on Nasal Valve Angle in Open Approach Rhinoplasty

Objective: This study aimed to compare the spreader graft and flap techniques, which are used in nasal valve surgery, based on measurements of nasal valve angles using computed tomography. Material and Method: In this retrospective study, all patients’ right and left internal nasal valve angles were measured from coronal computed tomography images taken preoperatively and in the third postoperative month. A paired t-test and independent t-test were used to compare continuous numerical variables. Results: There were 52 patients with 104 valves in the spreader flap group and 54 patients with 108 valves in the spreader graft group, with a mean age of 27.76 ± 8.16 years. The angles were found to be statistically significantly higher in the postoperative period (p<0.001) in all patients. While the angles did not differ significantly between the flap and graft groups in the preoperative period, they were significantly higher in the flap group in the postoperative period (p<0.001). Discussion: It is essential to preserve nasal valve function in rhinoplasty. The findings show that a spreader flap is superior to a spreader graft, although both techniques increase internal nasal valve function. Level of Evidence III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .