Rhinoplasty: surface aesthetics and surgical techniques

Çakir B, Doğan T, Öreroğlu AR, Daniel RK.

What this paper says

The authors describe analyzing the nose as a set of geometric polygons formed by its lines, shadows and highlights, and the surgical techniques developed to create those surface shapes, applied in 257 consecutive rhinoplasties over 3 years; the abstract reports no outcomes.

Overview

An attractive nose is defined on its surface by specific lines, highlights and shadows in set proportions. The authors divide that surface into geometric polygons, use them to describe both the existing deformity and the goal, and match each polygon to the operative technique that produces it.

Sections of note

Concept and technique article from the principal author (B.C.), with 257 consecutive rhinoplasties in the past 3 years.
Surface aesthetics are defined by lines, shadows, highlights, proportions and breakpoints.
Geometric polygons serve as aesthetic subunits for analysis and goal setting.
Techniques were developed and modified to achieve the desired surface appearance and are detailed in the article.
The polygon principles guide deformity analysis, operative planning and technique selection.
The abstract gives no satisfaction, revision or complication figures.

What it means for a patient

Some surgeons plan a rhinoplasty by the pattern of light and shadow the nose will cast, not only by its skeleton.
The method offers a shared vocabulary for describing what a patient wants changed.
The abstract does not say how patients fared with the techniques.

Why this paper matters

The polygon concept became a widely taught analysis framework and underpins the later preservation rhinoplasty literature from the same authors. It is a planning tool; evidence that it improves outcomes is not presented in the abstract.

Terms

Surface aesthetics: the appearance of the nose as defined by its visible lines, highlights and shadows.
Aesthetic subunit: a region of the nose treated as a unit for analysis and planning.
Geometric polygon: a flat shape with straight sides, here used to map facets of the nasal surface.
Breakpoint: the point where one surface line meets another and changes direction.
Dorsal aesthetic lines: the paired curved highlights along the bridge seen from the front.
Operative plan: the sequence of maneuvers chosen before surgery to reach a defined goal.

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

From the abstract

“Surface aesthetics of the attractive nose are created by certain lines, shadows, and highlights, with specific proportions and breakpoints. Our evaluation of the nasal surface aesthetics is achieved using the concept of geometric polygons as aesthetic subunits, both to define the existing deformity and the aesthetic…”

Excerpt; the full abstract is on PubMed.