Split Face Comparison of Topical Arnica Montana for Post Rhinoplasty Ecchymosis and Oedema

Effect of Topical Arnica Cream on Postoperative Oedema and Ecchymosis After Septorhinoplasty: A Prospective, Randomised, Split-Face, Blinded Study

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 1

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12626000778381

Enrollment

Registered

2026-06-29

Start date

2022-08-01

Completion date

2023-11-01

Last updated

2026-07-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

A prospective, blinded, randomised split-face trial was performed, evaluating the effect of topical Arnica cream on postoperative periorbital ecchymosis and oedema following open septorhinoplasty. Each participant served as their own control, with Arnica applied to one hemiface and no treatment applied to the contralateral side This study tested whether arnica cream reduces bruising and swelling around the eyes after a nose job. To make it a fair test, it was planned ahead of time and ensured neither the patients nor the evaluating doctors knew which side of the face received the treatment. Each patient actually served as their own comparison; they applied the cream to one half of their face and left the opposite side completely untreated. By tracking the healing process on both sides, the study could directly measure if arnica cream truly speeds up recovery and lessens standard post-surgery black eyes and puffiness.

Interventions

Participants applied 1g or two fingertips of Arnica Montana 20mg/g (Martin & Pleasance Arnica Cream) cream twice daily to the assigned hemiface excluding the columella incision for 10 days postoperatively. Participant self reported adherence.

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Patients were recruited between August 2022 and November 2023 from the Otolaryngology outpatient department at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), Brisbane, Australia. Eligible patients undergoing septorhinoplasty were identified from a prospective surgical waiting list database and invited to participate during pre-operative appointments. Patients received no financial compensation for participation

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria included: coagulopathy or anticoagulant use; systemic disease affecting oedema or wound healing; pregnancy or breastfeeding; hypersensitivity to Arnica or excipients; inability to comply with specified treatment instructions or photographic documentation, and insufficient English proficiency for consent and instructions

Outcome results