Assessment of Lobule Thickness and Nasal Skin Thickness in Rhinoplasty: Is Lobule Thickness a Good Indicator for Estimating Nasal Skin Thickness?
Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1097/scs.0000000000013020
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Alar lobule, nasal skin thickness, preoperative evaluation, rhinoplasty, ultrasonography
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Nasal skin thickness is a key determinant of surgical planning, postoperative healing, and aesthetic outcomes in rhinoplasty (RNP). However, objective assessment of nasal skin thickness is not always feasible in routine clinical practice. Because the alar lobule is one of the few nasal regions where skin thickness can be clinically appreciated more easily, it may provide a practical indicator of skin characteristics in other nasal subunits. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between alar lobule thickness and nasal skin thickness at different anatomic sites and to determine whether lobule thickness may serve as a practical indicator during preoperative RNP assessment. This prospective study included 107 patients undergoing RNP. Nasal skin thickness at the nasion, rhinion, supratip, tip, and alar lobule was measured ultrasonographically by a blinded radiologist. Correlations between alar lobule thickness and skin thickness at other nasal regions were analyzed. Differences according to sex and age were also assessed. Alar lobule thickness demonstrated a significant positive correlation with supratip and tip skin thickness, whereas no significant correlation was observed with nasion thickness. Rhinion thickness and bilateral alar lobule thickness were significantly greater in male patients than in female patients. Increased lobule thickness was also associated with older age. Alar lobule thickness was significantly associated with skin thickness in the supratip and tip regions and may serve as a simple, practical, and clinically useful indicator during the preoperative evaluation of patients with RNP.