Can verteporfin be used to minimize rhinoplasty scarring?

Question

With the advent of new therapeutics, including verteporfin, but other drugs are being developed as well, scarring can be minimized, and allow healthy healing. Verteporfin is already allowed by the FDA and currently in clinical trials for surgery. Some surgeons already use it off-label. When will rhinoplasty surgeons start using this? Since scarring is such a big issue in rhinoplasty, I imagine it makes outcomes more predictable and healthy.

Kadir Berat Oyur, MD · Answer

It is completely understandable to have concerns about "hollow" areas after a lower blepharoplasty, but please keep in mind that what you are seeing is very common during the first few weeks of recovery. At this stage, localized swelling can create temporary unevenness, and the tissues are still adjusting to their new contours as the internal inflammation gradually subsides. The final result usually takes several months to fully settle, during which time these hollow appearances typically soften and smooth out as the skin and underlying fat redistribute. We recommend continuing with your gentle post-op care and allowing your body the necessary time to heal, as the most accurate assessment of your results can only be made once the initial swelling has completely resolved.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

Verteporfin is FDA-approved for an eye indication, not for preventing surgical scars. Its scar-reduction use remains investigational. The encouraging evidence has mainly come from animal models, and early human trials are only now assessing local dosing, safety, wound healing, and preliminary scar outcomes in skin incisions. Those results cannot yet be extrapolated to rhinoplasty, where healing involves skin, mucosa, cartilage, bone, and internal scar tissue. Before routine adoption, we need peer-reviewed controlled human studies that establish a reproducible dose and delivery method, show that normal wound strength and nasal support are not impaired, and demonstrate a meaningful benefit over careful surgical technique and standard scar care. A few surgeons may use verteporfin off-label, but that does not make it proven or predictable. At present I would consider it appropriate only in a properly approved clinical trial, not as a routine rhinoplasty add-on. If you are considering surgery or have a healing concern, discuss established scar care and your individual risks with your treating surgeon. Broader use will depend on the quality of the forthcoming human data rather than a specific timeline.

Can verteporfin be used to minimize rhinoplasty scarring?

Answers (2)

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