Definition of “Gender Angle” in Caucasian Population

The goal of this study report is to define the “gender angle,” a new angle which represents the masculine or feminine nasal shape, for performing a gender-oriented rhinoplasty. The use of the “gender angle” in Caucasian patients will help the plastic surgeon in the search for a suitable nose for the patient’s face and above all for the search for maximum patient satisfaction.

The study population was obtained from Caucasian patients who had undergone rhinoplasty between January 1986 and September 2016 at our department. Patients answered the Italian version of the FACE-Q outcome instrument on post-rhinoplasty satisfaction with their nose. Anthropometric measurements were taken retrospectively by AutoCAD for MAC on a photograph of the profile view taken postoperatively at the last follow-up.

A total of 1774 (706 male and 1068 female) patients satisfied the inclusion criteria and were finally enrolled in this study. We identified a gender-specific angle ranging from 168° to 182° for the male nose and from 160° to 178° for the female nose. We subdivided all study patients into 3 ranges of angles as follows: male nose, range 1 = 168°–172°, range 2 = 173°–177°, range 3 = 178°–182°; female nose, range 1 = 160°–166°, range 2 = 167°–171°, range 3 = 172°–178°. All study patients completed the FACE-Q rhinoplasty postoperative module. Analysis was performed of the FACE-Q results and the angle obtained for each nose. The most satisfactory angle range for male patients was range 3 (P = 0.01) and for the female patients was range 2 (P = 0.01).

The “gender angle” might be a parameter that effectively provides the optimal cosmetic result for male and female patients who undergo rhinoplasty.

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