Subjective and objective evaluation of the outcome of rhinoplasty. A retrospective study

Between 1983 and 1988, 206 patients underwent a septorhinoplasty in the ENT Department of the University Hospital Benjamin Franklin in Berlin. The results of the operation were analysed by an "objective" evaluation form including measurements of cephalometric angles and a "subjective" questionnaire reflecting the patient's view. Ninety-nine patients responded to our questionnaire. About one third of our patients were foreigners (mostly Turks). Seventy-five percent of the results were good in objective as well as subjective terms. Comparison of results between the two sexes did not show a significant difference. A relevant discrepancy between the objective and the subjective results was seen in the foreign patients. The low average age and therefore unrealistically high expectations are a possible explanation for this phenomenon. Patients with small preoperative deformities also turned out to be less satisfied with the outcome even though the objective result was better. While obtaining the objective results, we also realized that the nasofrontal angle seems to be of minor importance for the facial profile. The nasofacial and the nasolabial angle actually seem to be more important for the rhinoplasty and reflect the aesthetic correction of the nose better than the nasofrontal angle. It was much more often possible to correct the nasofacial and the nasolabial angle, while the nasofrontal angle remained uncorrected in many cases. Our retrospective study was able to answer the question whether the aesthetic outcome after rhinoplasty can be rated objectively.