A guide to the assessment and analysis of the rhinoplasty patient

Palma P, Khodaei I, Tasman AJ.

What this paper says

This review argues that careful facial analysis, planning and communication by the surgeon matter more than imaging tools in producing a satisfied rhinoplasty patient; the abstract reports no counts.

Overview

The paper is a guide to assessing a patient before rhinoplasty. It reviews how facial analysis has developed over 50 years and sets out what the surgeon must combine: knowledge of anatomy, the range of surgical options, meticulous planning, and skill in talking with the patient. The abstract is a short overview rather than a study report.

Sections of note

Review article; no patient series, no measurements and no outcomes are stated in the abstract.
Facial analysis is described as both science and art, with major advances over the past 50 years.
The surgeon needs technical knowledge of regional anatomy and of the many available surgical options.
Meticulous planning and execution are presented as the way to minimize risk and maximize the chance of success.
Imaging and computer analysis add a technological dimension but do not replace clinical judgment.
The stated goal of assessment is the happy patient.

What it means for a patient

Expect a thorough examination and a detailed conversation before surgery; the surgeon should study the whole face, not only the nose.
Computer simulations are a supplement, not a substitute, for the surgeon's judgment.
This is an expert opinion piece; it presents no data on how any assessment method affects results.

Why this paper matters

Preoperative analysis is where the plan for a rhinoplasty is made and where expectations are set. This guide sits in a Facial Plastic Surgery issue on rhinoplasty fundamentals. It does not test whether any specific analysis system leads to better outcomes.

Terms

Facial analysis: systematic measurement of the proportions and angles of the face and nose before surgery.
Computer imaging: software that morphs a patient's photograph to preview a possible result.
Clinical acumen: a clinician's judgment built from training and experience.
Preoperative planning: deciding the steps of the operation before it begins.
Review article: a paper that summarizes existing knowledge rather than reporting a new study.

Summary written by rhinoplasty.cc from the abstract, 2026-09-08; not medical advice. The authors' own abstract follows.

From the abstract

“The science and art of facial analysis have made giant strides in the past 50 years. In addition to excellent technical knowledge about the anatomy of the region and the numerous surgical options available, the rhinoplasty surgeon must demonstrate meticulous care in the planning and execution of this difficult and…”

Excerpt; the full abstract is on PubMed.