The effect of preoperative skin features and postoperative treatments on edema and ecchymosis in functional septorhinoplasty patients

The Effect of Preoperative Skin Features and Postoperative Treatments on Edema and Ecchymosis in Functional Septorhinoplasty Patients Aim: Functional Septorhinoplasty is an effective both functional and aesthetic surgical procedure that is widely used nowadays. Periorbital ecchymosis and edema are frequently seen after FSRP, and various applications and treatments are tried for faster rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of preoperative skin features and postoperative treatment on periorbital ecchymosis and edema. Material and Method: In this study, patients who underwent FSRP between October 2019 and August 2020 in Inonu University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery were prospectively evaluated. After evaluating the preoperative skin features of the patients undergoing FSRP with the Dermatology Department of our faculty, the patients were divided into five groups. Group 1 received cold application only, Group 2 cold and periorbital strip, Group 3 cold and Arnica cream, Group 4 cold and Reparil gel, Group 5 cold and Hirudoid gel. Edema and ecchymosis of all patients on postoperative 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 14th, and 21st days were evaluated with standard scales. Results: A total of 115 patients, including 26 patients in Group 1, 22 patients in Group 2, 21 patients in Group 3 and 5, and 25 patients in Group 4, were included in the study. When the periorbital ecchymosis was evaluated, no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in any postoperative follow-ups. In evaluating periorbital edema, a statistically significant difference was observed between the groups on the postoperative 3rd day (p = 0.01). This significance on the postoperative 3rd day was mainly due to the difference between the Arnica and Hirudoid groups. Conclusion: While none of the treatments applied in our study provided additional benefit on periorbital ecchymosis, it was observed that the Periorbital strip and Arnica cream could provide additional benefit to the recovery of periorbital edema. Key Words: Ecchymosis, Edema, Medical treatment, Periorbital strip, Septorhinoplasty