“Ethnic Preferences in African American Rhinoplasty using Artificial Intelligence Morphing and Cadaveric Structural Cartilage Grafts”

BACKGROUND: Many African American patients who undergo rhinoplasty prefer to maintain their ethnic characteristics rather than aim toward Euro-Western ideals. Effective communication of these preferences is paramount during the preoperative consultation for these unique cases. The aim of this study is to investigate whether recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) 3D morphing, with the ability to plan rhinoplasty based on patient preferences, offer improved outcomes. METHODS: Rhinoplasty patients who emphasized ethnic considerations (based on a validated survey) underwent either preoperative 1) Deep Surface AI Morphing or 2) No morphing to communicate their preferences (n=392). Surveys were used to record patient-reported aesthetic outcomes and to record psychosocial indicators. Perioperative complications, long term stability (1-year), need for revisions, were compared (Student's t-test). RESULTS: 'AI Morphing' vs. 'No Morphing' cohorts operated on sequentially, had equal numbers (n=392), with similar: demographics, operative techniques, and complications (2% vs. 3%), but AI Morphing revisions were less (8% vs. 19%). Operative techniques included variations in upper vault narrowing, dorsal onlay grafts, spreader grafts, septal extension grafts, tip grafts, alar base resection, lateral wall osteotomy, and the use of cadaveric grafts. 'AI Morphing' patients had greater improvement in aesthetic scores (3.2+0.4 vs. 2.0+0.3) and in psychosocial indicators: Anxiety (-8.4 vs. -5.2), Depression (-7.8 vs. -1.3), and Meaning and Purpose (+4.9 vs. +1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Rhinoplasty nasal reshaping using AI Morphing and cadaveric cartilage improves patient satisfaction scores and psychosocial outcomes.