Rhinoplasty for African American patients: a retrospective review of 75 cases

OBJECTIVE: To determine satisfaction, change in self-esteem, and maintenance of ethnic characteristics in African American patients after rhinoplasty. Patients African American male (n = 21) and female (n = 54) patients aged 14 through 58 years (mean, 33.8 years) who underwent rhinoplasty. METHODS: Open structure rhinoplasty, using the 3-tiered approach, was performed on all 75 patients. An anonymous questionnaire addressed postoperative patient satisfaction, maintenance of ethnic characteristics, self-esteem, and nasofacial harmony. The rate of complications was determined by medical record review. RESULTS: On a scale of 1 to 5 (1, no change; 5, complete change), patients reported a significant degree of preservation of ethnic characteristics (mean, 2.3), high self-esteem (mean, 4.3), and very high satisfaction (mean, 4.6) and facial harmony (mean, 4.3) postoperatively (P < .001 for all). The overall complication rate was 2.7%. CONCLUSION: In African American patients, 3-tiered open structure rhinoplasty yields high patient satisfaction with a minimal rate of major complications.