Chin Dysmorphology in the Primary Rhinoplasty Population: Prevalence, Objective Analysis, and Implications

Abstract

Background: Chin flaws are far more common than recognized. Denial of genioplasty by parents or adult patients can present a surgical planning enigma, especially in patients with microgenia and chin deviation. This study aims to investigate the frequency of chin imperfections on patients seeking rhinoplasty, review the conundrum they generate, and offer management suggestions based on over 40 years of the senior author's experience.

Methods: This review included 108 consecutive patients presenting for primary rhinoplasty. Demographics, soft tissue cephalometrics, and surgical details were obtained. Exclusion criteria included prior orthognathic or isolated chin surgery, mandiblular trauma, or congenital craniofacial deformities.

Results: Of the 108 patients, 92 (85.2%) were female. Mean age was 30.8 years (SD±13, range 14-72). Ninety-seven (89.8%) patients exhibited some degree of objective chin dysmorphology. Fifteen (13.9%) had Class I deformities (macrogenia), 63 (58.3%) Class II (microgenia), and 14 (12.9%) Class III (combined macro and microgenia in the horizontal or vertical vectors). Forty-one (38%) patients had Class IV deformities (asymmetry). While all patients were offered the opportunity to correct chin flaws, only 11 (10.1%) underwent such procedures. Five (4.6%) patients had simultaneous osseous genioplasty (mean advancement 7.8mm, range 5-9mm); 7 (6.5%) received fat grafting to the chin (mean volume 4.4cc, range 1-9cc).

Conclusions: A considerable proportion of primary rhinoplasty patients possess quantifiable chin dysmorphology on circumspect examination, high-resolution photographs and cephalometric analysis. Only a small number agree to surgical interventions that pursue full facial harmony. Potential reasons for these findings, patient aversion, and mitigation strategies will be discussed.

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 .

Keywords: Chin; Dysmorphology; Genioplasty; Prevalence; Rhinoplasty.