Influence of skull biometrics on cosmetic reconstruction after incisivectomy and nasal planectomy reconstruction in dogs

Objective: To identify biometric skull measurements that are associated with tension and excess narrowing of the resultant nasal aperture during cosmetic nasal planectomy reconstruction. Study design: Ex vivo study. Animals: Twenty cadavers of mesocephalic dogs. Methods: Cosmetic reconstruction was performed after incisivectomy and nasal planectomy. Preoperative and intraoperative skull measurements included width of the nasal planum, rostral and caudal maxilla, labial flap, and maxilla at ostectomy site; the length of the nose, labial flap, and philtrum incision; lip thickness; and philtrum placement. Ratios of select width to length measurements were calculated. Correlation was tested between skull biometrics and tension during reconstruction as well as resulting opening of the nasal aperture. Results: Breeds included golden retriever, pit bull, Labrador retriever, beagle, shepherd, basset hound, boxer mix, cocker spaniel, and Great Dane. No biometric ratios were predictive of procedural success. The most important objective measurements that were significantly correlated with inferior outcome included width of the nasal planum (>3 cm), width of the caudal maxilla (>6.2 cm), lip thickness (>0.5 cm), width of the labial flap (>2.9 cm), length of the incision created to make the cosmetic “philtrum” (longer incisions >2.8 cm), and philtrum placement (more dorsal placement). Conclusion: Tension during reconstruction and decreased resultant nasal aperture were associated with wider facial features and thicker lips as well as directly impacted by cosmetic philtrum design and placement. Clinical significance: Standardized preoperative measurements may help guide clinical decision making in choosing and executing a nasal planectomy reconstructive technique.