Introduction: Rhinomodeling is a minimally invasive aesthetic procedure that offers quick recovery and lower costs compared to surgical rhinoplasty. However, the use of non-absorbable tension threads can lead to late complications requiring surgical intervention.
Case presentation: A 27-year-old female patient underwent rhinomodeling with non-absorbable tension threads ten years ago. She presented with nasal asymmetry, respiratory difficulty, and a foreign body sensation in the left nasal cavity. Clinical examination revealed left-sided laterorhinia, asymmetric nasal cavities, and a protruding tension thread. An open rhinoseptoplasty was performed, revealing thread extrusion, granuloma formation, and partial rupture of the right alar cartilage. The thread was removed, and structural correction was performed with septoplasty and cartilage grafting.
Discussion: Unlike absorbable threads, which degrade within months, non-absorbable threads can cause late complications requiring surgical removal.
Conclusion: This case highlights a late complication of rhinomodeling, previously described but underreported, requiring surgical intervention ten years later. Open rhinoseptoplasty successfully restored nasal function and aesthetics, emphasizing the importance of long-term follow-up and professional expertise.