The efficacy of cryotherapy in reducing edema and ecchymosis in patients who underwent rhinoplasty: A narrative review

Abstract

Objective The aim of this article was to showcase current literature on the efficacy of different postoperative and intraoperative cryotherapy techniques in reducing edema, ecchymosis, and pain in patients who have undergone rhinoplasty.

Background Rhinoplasty has some unfavorable postoperative temporary side effects, such as edema, ecchymosis, and pain, which hinder the patients’ daily activities. Several interventions have been proposed in the literature, including cryotherapy, which refers to cold application to the desired facial area in patients who have undergone rhinoplasty.

Methods Specific keywords were used, and PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched. Two extensive selection rounds were performed to finally include 27 articles; the first round was based on the title and abstract, while the second was based on the full article.

Discussion The articles were split into postoperative and intraoperative categories based on the time cryotherapy was administered during the surgery. They were then subdivided depending on the specific cryotherapy technique used, and a detailed description of the method of application and improvement in patients’ edema, ecchymosis, and pain was noted. Articles that compared different cryotherapy techniques were also compared with articles that discussed previously used techniques.

Conclusion Cryotherapy has shown promising outcomes in reducing edema, ecchymosis, and pain after rhinoplasty and bleeding. It is crucial to build further studies upon these outcomes and develop guidelines for surgeons to effectively use these cryotherapy techniques in their practice.