Intrinsic nasal muscles and their electromyographic evaluation after external septorhinoplasty

OBJECTIVES: Rhinoplastic surgery is performed for the improvement in the ap pearance of the nose, but it should not cause any detrimental effect on the intrinsic muscles. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of t he external rhinoplasty on intrinsic nasal muscles. METHODS: Twenty-one patients were operated on by external septorhinoplasty. Functions of the nasal muscles were assessed by electromyography in respon se to voluntary nasal movements in patients before and after surgery. RESULTS: Postoperative electromyographic activities of the muscles were sig nificantly less than preoperative measurements for all movements. CONCLUSION: Influence of the surgical incisions, alterations of the sites o f origin and/or insertion of the muscles, and the postoperative healing pro cess can be incriminated for the decreased muscular activity. Nasal muscle function requires a better appreciation and respect for the achievement of the best aesthetic and functional results. The nasal valve reconstructive p rocedures should be applied routinely to compensate for this inevitable mus cular involvement.