Preferred Nasolabial Angle in Rhinoplasty: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Background The perception of an ideal nose is influenced by a variety of factors, with demographic characteristics playing a significant role in what is considered an ideal nose. The nasolabial angle (NLA) is considered one of the defining features shaping the nose.Objectives In this study we set out to capture the perception of the ideal nasolabial angle among Canadian, Saudi, Kuwaiti, and Lebanese populations.Methods An online questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the ideal nasolabial angle among Canadian, Saudi, Kuwaiti, and Lebanese populations (n = 197). Participants were patients attending outpatient clinics, plastic surgery residents, and medical students. The questionnaire included demographics and the perception of respondents of the ideal NLA for each gender: male (85 degrees, 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 110 degrees) and females (95 degrees, 100 degrees, 110 degrees, 115 degrees).Results The majority of respondents were female (81.2%), ages between 20 and 39 (84.3%). The mean and standard deviation of ideal NLA choices in both male and female models were 97.1 +/- 6.39 and 109.5 +/- 5.32, respectively. The ideal male NLA choices were found to correlate significantly with age (P = .044) and work status (P = .019). In choosing the ideal female NLA, age was a significant factor (P = .012).Conclusions Identifying the ideal NLA is essential to establishing aesthetic goals for patient and surgeon alike. It is important to understand the effects of demographics on the choice of the ideal NLA, which ultimately influences the planning and outcome of the rhinoplasty procedure.