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. 2021 Mar 1;86(3S Suppl 2):S259-S264.
doi: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000002617.

Differences and Similarities Between Eastern and Western Rhinoplasty: Features and Proposed Algorithms

Affiliations

Differences and Similarities Between Eastern and Western Rhinoplasty: Features and Proposed Algorithms

William Wei-Kai Lao et al. Ann Plast Surg. .

Abstract

The authors collectively reviewed their experiences in performing rhinoplasty in North America, Asia, and South America and categorized common undesirable features in Eastern and Western rhinoplasty and their respective surgical algorithms. In Western rhinoplasty, the surgery is often reduction in nature. The proposed algorithm is a dorsum-first, tip-second surgical sequence to better suit the need of this population. Meanwhile in Eastern rhinoplasty, the surgery is often augmentation in nature with extra materials needed to build the nose. The proposed algorithm is the opposite, a tip-first and dorsum-second surgical sequence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
A Western rhinoplasty patient with common undesirable features of a dorsal hump, bulbous, and droopy tip. The cartoon shows the underlying etiologies of bony and cartilaginous excess at the dorsum and a long septum and derotated lower lateral cartilages.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Proposed algorithms for Eastern and Western rhinoplasty. A tip-first dorsum-second approach is recommended for Eastern rhinoplasty, and the opposite order is suggested for Western rhinoplasty. Cartoons show the typical surgical changes in each.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Before (left) and after (right) photos of Western rhinoplasty patients.
FIGURE 4
FIGURE 4
An Eastern rhinoplasty patient with common undesirable features of a short upturned tip and low dorsum. The cartoon shows the underlying etiologies of low bony dorsum and a short septum lacking support to the tip.
FIGURE 5
FIGURE 5
Before (left) and after (right) photos of Eastern rhinoplasty patients.
FIGURE 6
FIGURE 6
The ideal nasal profile is similar in Western and Eastern rhinoplasty. They converge to the same shape from the opposite directions.
FIGURE 7
FIGURE 7
Before (left) and after (right) photos of an African patient with mixed undesirable features.
FIGURE 8
FIGURE 8
Before (left) and after (right) photos of a Chinese patient with Western rhinoplasty features. Dorsal hump reduction with tip projection was done.

References

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