Prapitphan Charoenlux¹, Varut Supanakorn¹

Background: Nasal skin thickness (NST) is a factor that can impact the aesthetic outcome of rhinoplasty. A comprehensive understanding of NST and predicting its changes with age can help surgeons maximize the aesthetic outcome.

Objective: To estimate NST and analyze its correlation with age-related changes. 

Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional descriptive study that reviewed computerized tomography images of 183 Thai patients. NST was measured at four locations, the nasion, rhinion, nasal tip, and columella. Correlation between NST and age was analyzed. Subgroup analysis was performed based on gender. 

Results: Out of the 183 patients, 89, or 48.63%, were male. The mean age was 51.36±18.47 years, ranging from 18 to 87 years. The NST at the nasion was 2.77±0.71 mm, rhinion 1.75±0.63 mm, nasal tip 3.23±0.91 mm, and columella 2.4±0.78 mm. Significant negative correlations with age where the nasal skin was thinner with increasing age, were identified at the nasion (r= –0.193), rhinion (r= –0.213), and nasal tip (r= –0.167). Subgroup analysis showed that NST was significantly higher in males than in females at all sites. Negative correlations were found in females, at the nasion (r= –0.236), rhinion (r= –0.261), and nasal tip (r= –0.395). No significant correlations were identified in males. 

Conclusion: NST at the nasal tip was the thickest area in the entire population, as well as in male and female subgroups. Negative correlations with age were identified at the nasion, rhinion, and nasal tip. The same correlations were identified in females. No correlations were identified at the columella or in males.

Received 14 March 2024 | Revised 18 April 2024 | Accepted 29 April 2024

DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2024.6.14001