Results
In total, 25 patients (16 male and 9 female) with I-type (11 patients) and C-type (14 patients) deformities were included in the study. All patients were operated on with a closed-approach let-down procedure, and none of the patients required costal cartilage harvesting. All patients were followed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, and postoperative image analysis was performed at least 12 months after the surgery.
The preoperative mean deviation angle for C-type deformities was 146.15 ± 3.59ο (142-154.6), and the postoperative mean deviation angle was 178.71 ± 2.12ο (175-180). The preoperative mean deviation angle for type I deformities was 12,49 ± 1.73ο (10.6-15.9), and the postoperative mean angle was 1.03 ± 1.43ο (0-2.9). The postoperative angles for C-type deformities were higher and closer to the ideal angle (180ο), and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). The ideal angle (180ο) was achieved in 10 patients (10/14). The postoperative angles for I-type deformities were smaller and closer to the ideal angle (0ο), and this difference was also statistically significant (p<0.001). The means of preoperative and postoperative angles are given in Table 1.
According to the postoperative surgical success rate, the outcomes for 17 patients (10with C-type deformities and 7 with I-type deformities) were accepted as excellent, and those for 8 patients (4 with C-type deformities and 4 with I-type deformities) were accepted as good. The results are listed in Table 2.
All patients were satisfied with their aesthetic and functional results and did not encounter any complications in the postoperative period. Preoperative and postoperative digital images of 2 patients are presented in Figures 2,3 and 4.