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Ultrasonic Rhinoplasty: An Introduction

by Trudi Schrieber

Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, might be getting a boost from ultrasonic technology. Cosmetic surgeons have a wide variety of tools to perform rhinoplasty, including bone saws, carbide rasps, and power-assisted rasps. However, each of these tools comes with its own limitations. These tools are sometimes difficult to work with and can lead to such issues as damage to surrounding tissues or deformities, and they can inhibit visualization, making it difficult to address bone fragments due to heat generation.

Now, however, cosmetic surgeons can use ultrasonic bone removal to perform more precise rhinoplasties, and correct issues caused by traditional rhinoplasty tools. The ultrasonic bone aspirator uses sound waves to remove bones without damaging surrounding membranes or tissue. This allows surgeons to correct minor irregularities and asymmetry, and major deformities, like a severely deviated nasal spine.

The ultrasonic bone aspirator was originally developed for neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery, because it enables removal of small bone fragments without injury to surrounding tissues. It generates little heat, and uses both irrigation and suction. These factors make it much easier to precisely remove small fragments of bone.

Jewel D. Greywoode, M.D., and Edmund A. Pribitkin, M.D., from the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, reviewed 103 consecutive patients who underwent cosmetic rhinoplasty. The ultrasonic bone aspirator was used for both conventional procedures and also for further aesthetic refinement. Cartilage treated with the ultrasonic device was evaluated along with untreated cartilage for tissue injury. In these studies, patients showed normal or substantial improvement in structural and cosmetic outcomes. More studies are likely to be conducted to show long-term outcomes of rhinoplasty using ultrasonic technology.

Limitations to the ultrasonic bone aspirator for rhinoplasty may include cost, time, and certain approaches. For instance, the bone aspirator may have limited usefulness for an endonasal approach. Additionally, some speculation suggests that the aspirator may be more expensive than traditional rhinoplasty tools.

If you're interested in ultrasonic or traditional rhinoplasty / nose job surgery, you can schedule a personal consultation with a local plastic surgeon by contacting Plastic Surgery Portal today.