ALTERATIONS IN NASAL SENSIBILITY FOLLOWING OPEN RHINOPLASTY

Alterations of nasal sensibility following open rhinoplasty were studi ed both subjectively and objectively. In a prospective study, 25 patie nts were included. All patients underwent open rhinoplasty using a mid dle columellar incision. Subjective questioning and objective testing of nasal sensibility using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments were obt ained preoperatively and both 3 weeks and 1 year after surgery. The ma tch-paired Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. At 3 we eks after surgery, there was subjective and significant objective alte ration of sensibility in the area of skin supplied by the external nas al nerve (nasal tip and adjacent upper columella). This altered sensib ility, however, recovered by 1 year after surgery. The recovery was th ought to be due either to recovery of the external nasal nerve itself, or to collateral sprouting from the nerves supplying the adjacent are as of nasal skin.