Augmentation of nasal tip projection using the inferior turbinate: review of technique and evaluation of long-term success

OBJECTIVES: To introduce the use of inferior turbinate bone as an alternative autograft for augmentation of nasal tip projection and to assess maintenance of nasal tip projection, bone remodeling, graft shaping, and ease of harvesting. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients in need of increased nasal tip projection underwent closed rhinoplasty during a prospective nonrandomized study in a university teaching hospital setting. An autologous demucosalized inferior turbinate bone graft was used as a columellar strut. Measurements of nasal tip projection were obtained using the Goode ratio. Photodocumentation and lateral soft tissue radiographs were obtained before surgery and between 30 and 38 months after surgery. RESULTS: In all patients, the results were as follows: (1) the inferior turbinate bone graft was easily harvested and molded into the appropriate-sized columellar strut; (2) the immediate postoperative nasal tip projection, as measured by the Goode ratio and visual assessment, was increased; and (3) the tip projections were maintained at the 30-month follow-up examination. Paired t tests revealed a statistically significant difference (P = .001 and P = .009) between preoperative and both immediate and long-term measurements. Comparison of immediate postoperative radiographs with those taken 2 years later demonstrated no remarkable change in appearance of the graft. CONCLUSIONS: The interior turbinate bone is a viable graft for augmenting nasal tip projection. Moreover, it maintains tip projection and needs little to no remodeling. The graft is easy to harvest, prepare, and place and can be used without requiring a second operative site.     

Nasal tip refinement in primary rhinoplasty: The cephalic trim cap graft

Background: Commonly used techniques for achieving nasal tip projection and refinement are adequate for most primary rhinoplasty patients, but they may result in undesirable tip bifidity and visible lower lateral cartilage angularity, especially in patients with thin skin. Objective: We report the use of “like” local tissues, cephalic trim cartilage remnants of the lower lateral cartilages, as invisible tip grafts to soften any angular cartilage edges or tip bifidity. Methods: The cartilaginous framework was exposed by using the open rhinoplasty approach. Lower lateral cartilages were separated from upper lateral cartilages, the caudal septum at the anterior septal angle, and from each other. A cephalic trim was performed as necessary, with the cartilaginous segments preserved for use as a cap graft. Interdomal sutures and transdermal sutures were used either alone or in combination to set the desired tip projection. If tip bifidity was visible through thin nasal tip skin, a cephalic trim cap graft was placed. Results: The procedure can achieve a well-unified nasal tip with no evidence of bifidity, angularity, or cartilage graft visibility. Conclusion: Use of this technique to improve nasal tip projection can avoid undesirable tip bifidity and visible lower lateral cartilage angularity in patients with thin nasal skin. (Aesthetic Surg J 2002;22:39-45.)     

Lateral crural setback with cephalic turn-in flap: a method to treat the drooping nose

Herein, I describe lateral crural setback with cephalic turn-in flap as a new technique for management of the drooping nose. I report a technique for reinforcement of the alar cartilage after partial removal of its caudal portion used in 23 patients during open rhinoplasty. An objective assessment, which included measurement of nasal tip rotation and projection, was applied preoperatively and postoperatively. The average follow-up period was 11 months. Satisfactory results were achieved that resulted in an increase in the degree of nasal tip rotation. The mean increase of the nasolabial angle was 12°. This technique allows increasing the nasal tip rotation in an incremental fashion with preservation of nasal valve function and the strength and stability of the tip complex.     

New concepts in nasal tip contouring

Control of nasal tip contour has always been a key component of a successful rhinoplasty. Typically, this procedure is performed with an emphasis on narrowing the nasal tip structure. Creating a natural-appearing nasal tip contour is a complex task and requires a 3-dimensional approach. In an effort to identify the characteristics that make an ideal nasal tip, I evaluated numerous aesthetically pleasing nasal tips. After extensive study, I created a series of images to demonstrate how specific contours create highlights and shadows that will help guide the surgeon in creating a natural-appearing nasal tip contour. Many commonly used nasal tip techniques can pinch the tip structures if an overemphasis is placed on narrowing. These changes isolate the dome region of the nasal tip and can create an undesirable shadow between the tip lobule and alar lobule. Prior to contouring the nasal tip, the surgeon must stabilize the base of the nose with a columellar strut, suturing the medial crura to a long caudal septum, caudal extension graft, or an extended columellar strut graft. Stabilizing the nasal base will ensure that tip projection is maintained postoperatively. To contour the nasal tip, dome sutures are frequently used to flatten the lateral crura and eliminate tip bulbosity. Placement of dome sutures can deform the lateral crura and displace the caudal margin of the lateral crura well below the cephalic margin. This can result in a pinched nasal tip with the characteristic demarcation between the tip and the alar lobule. Alar rim grafts can be used to support the alar margin and create a defined ridge that extends from the tip lobule to the alar lobule. This form of restructuring can create a natural-appearing nasal tip contour with a horizontal tip orientation continuing out to the alar lobule. When dome sutures alone are inadequate, lateral crural strut grafts are used to eliminate convexity and prevent deformity of the lateral crura. Shield tip grafts can be used in patients with thick skin and an underprojected nasal tip. Whenever a shield tip graft is used, it must be appropriately camouflaged to avoid undesirable visualization of the graft as the postoperative edema subsides. When contouring the nasal tip, the surgeon should focus more on creating favorable shadows and highlights and less on narrowing. Nasal tips contoured in this manner will look more natural and will better withstand the forces of scar contracture that can negatively affect rhinoplasty outcomes.     

Four suture tip rhinoplasty: a powerful tool for controlling tip dynamics.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of using a 4-suture technique to control nasal tip dynamics. The 4 sutures include a medial crural suture, bilateral intradomal sutures, and an interdomal suture. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective photograph analysis of preoperative and postoperative photographs of 77 patients with respect to 7 dynamic variables: supratip break, projection, rotation, tip shape, tip definition, tip symmetry, and the presence of a double columellar break. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients underwent primary rhinoplasty and had an overall average score of 5.2 on a -7 to +7 scale, with a mean follow-up period of 3.8 months. The 3 patients undergoing revision rhinoplasty had an overall average score of 5.0 and a mean follow-up of 8.7 months. CONCLUSION: The 4-suture technique worked best with respect to projection and tip symmetry, although the technique proved to be an effective tool overall in controlling all 7 variables mentioned above. EBM rating: C-4.     

Nasal Tip Plasty Using Various Techniques in Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is one of the most common aesthetic surgical procedures in Korea today. However, simple augmentation rhinoplasty results often failed to satisfy the high expectations of patients. As a result, many procedures have been developed to improve the appearance of the nasal tip and nasal projection. However, the characteristics of Korean nasal tips including the bulbous appearance (attributable to the thickness of the skin), flared nostrils, and restriction of the nasal tip attributable to an underdeveloped medical crus of the alar cartilage and a short columella have made such procedures difficult. Currently, most plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty simultaneously with various nasal tip plasty techniques to improve the surgical results. An important part of an aesthetically pleasing result is to ensure an adequate nasal tip positioned slightly higher than the proper dorsum, with the two tip defining points in close proximity to each other, giving the nose a triangular shape from the caudal view. From June 2002 to November 2003, the authors performed rhinoplasty with simultaneous nasal tip plasty using various techniques according to the tip status of 55 patients (25 deviated noses, 9 broad noses, 15 low noses, and 6 secondary cleft lip and nose deformities). The surgery included realignment of alar cartilage by resection and suture, fibroareolar and subcutaneous tissue resection, tip graft, and columellar strut. The postoperative results over an average period of 10 months were entirely satisfactory. There were no patient complaints, nor complications resulting from the procedures. Good nasal tip projection, natural columellar appearance, and improvement of the nasolabial angle were achieved for most patients. In conclusion, rhinoplasty with simultaneous nasal tip plasty, achieved by a variety of techniques according to patients tip status, is an effective method for improving the appearance of the nose and satisfying the desires of the patients.     

Open rhinoplasty

Open rhinoplasty provides visualization, which for many is essential for the best sculpturing. The indications for its use include every primary and secondary rhinoplasty candidate unless tip grafts are going to be under tension or if the deformity is minor. The technique of opening the nose has been described. Emphasis is placed on (1) suturing the medial crura together, (2) suturing the medial crura to the septum, (3) resecting a portion of the lateral crus, and (4) leaving as much cartilage in the supratip and cephalic parts of the lateral crus as possible. The result is (1) greater tip projection with fewer tip grafts, (2) improved correction of tip convexity, (3) fewer supratip deformities, and (4) fewer Weir excisions. The columella scar is usually inconspicuous and has not been a significant problem in any case.     

Median horizontal split tip

One of the most difficult problems encountered in rhinoplasty is lack of nasal tip projection. An innovative technique is described that utilizes the removal of a median horizontal strip of lower lateral cartilage to enhance projection, while maintaining a natural highlight and tip support without the use of grafts. The indications are limited to noses that have a widened dome requiring removal of a central strip, and tip rotation. Alternate techniques are discussed; cases and results are discussed.     

高密度多孔聚乙烯植入体在鼻整形中的应用

目的 探讨高密度多孔聚乙烯在鼻整形中的应用.方法 2008年1月至2010年12月,分别将单片鼻小柱支架、双片鼻小柱支架和蝶形支架应用于33例鼻整形术患者.术后以6个指标评价手术效果,即鼻高度/鼻长度比例、ATC角、ACP角、鼻唇角、鼻额角和鼻尖角.结果 所有患者均获得满意疗效,除1例因鼻尖红肿而取出材料.女性患者中,术后鼻高度、鼻长度比例、ATC角度、鼻尖角、鼻唇角和鼻额角等指标有显著改善;男性患者显著改善的指标涉及鼻高度/鼻长度比例、ATC角度、鼻尖角和鼻额角等.结论 高密度多孔聚乙烯可提供足够的支撑力,是鼻整形的理想材料.     

The extended columellar strut-tip graft

The extended columellar strut-tip graft is a structural unit used in endonasal rhinoplasty that combines the attributes of the columellar strut and the tip graft. It is used to provide projection and contour to the nasal tip. Our goal with this study was to evaluate a 15-year experience with 155 patients who underwent rhinoplasty with the extended columellar strut-tip graft. Of these, 110 underwent secondary rhinoplasty, and 45 underwent primary rhinoplasty. There were 6 patients in the secondary rhinoplasty group who experienced complications: in 3, the graft became visible postoperatively, and 3 patients had graft placement asymmetry. These 6 patients underwent surgery in the initial years of graft development. One patient with graft edge visibility and 1 patient with graft asymmetry underwent revision surgery with satisfactory results. The extended columella strut-tip graft is a reliable method to provide nasal tip projection and contour. The successful use of the graft requires precise diagnosis and surgical technique.     

Rhinometry: An Important Clinical Index for Evaluation of the Nose Before and After Rhinoplasty

Background Preoperative planning and postoperative outcome assessment in rhinoplasty are important. For preoperative planning, some standard relationships are defined and evaluated primarily with standard photographs, but photographs do not necessarily reflect reality. Outcome assessment, on the other hand, is mostly subjective, and again, even photographic analyses may not address real changes after rhinoplasty. Methods “Rhinometry” is introduced as a clinical method for preoperative evaluations and postoperative judgments, and rhinometric parameters are defined. Measurements of these parameters were performed for 300 patients before rhinoplasty and in the follow-up visits 3 months postoperatively. Results Preoperatively, the nasal length and tip projection for most patients were more than ideal. There was moderate reduction in nasal length (mean, 9.21 mm) and a decrease in tip projection (mean, 3.34 mm) for the majority of the patients after rhinoplasty. Reductions in nasal length, tip projection, bony base width, alar base width, and alar base width during a smile were statistically significant. Patients who underwent surgery using the closed approach had significantly more reduction in nasal length and less reduction in tip projection. All the patients were satisfied with these pre- and postoperative data. Rhinometry changed the ideas of the authors about some changes that their operative approaches produce. Conclusions Rhinometry can change the ideas of plastic surgeons about the changes their operative approaches accomplish and can be a very useful guide for patients. It is recommended as a part of the pre- and postoperative physical examination of patients undergoing rhinoplasty.     

Tip graft from the cartilaginous dorsum in rhinoplasty

A cartilage graft from the cartilaginous hump can be used in primary rhinoplasty for nasal tip projection. This technique has now been used for two years without complications in 35 patients with similar nose deformities, which included an inadequately projected tip and a high dorsal line. These grafts have proved to be another easy way to get an adequate tip projection in primary rhinoplasty.Paper presented at The Annual Meeting of the American Society for Anesthetic Plastic Surgery, in Los Angeles, California, April, 1983     

Another Use of the Alar Cartilaginous Flap

Background Resection of the cephalic or middle portion of lateral crura of alar cartilages is a method for correcting bulbous nose in which the resected cartilages usually are discarded, resulting in a waste of autologous tissues. A silastic implant usually is used to correct saddle nose in Asian countries, but implant extrusion, a severe complication, sometimes occurs. Cartilage flaps were first reported by José to increase the projection of the nasal tip. In this study, the authors used cartilaginous flaps of the lateral crura to wrap the tip of the nasal implant for patients with bulbous and saddle noses. This study aimed to investigate the application of cartilaginous flaps of lateral crura. Methods A flap was created from the cephalic portion of the lateral crus of the alar cartilage, leaving the caudal portion intact. The cartilage flap remained attached at the level of the original domal segment of the middle crura. It was rotated over to wrap the tip of the silastic implant, then sutured to the other side flap. Results From March 2003, 19 patients were treated with this technique. The results were satisfactory without implant extrusion or any other complications except for nonobvious scars. Conclusion The cartilage flap can reduce the incidence of implant extrusion and help to reduce the size of the bulbous tip.     

Intermediate crural overlay in rhinoplasty: a deprojection technique that shortens the medial leg of the tripod without lengthening the nose

OBJECTIVE: To review the indications for, surgical techniques of, and results of intermediate crural overlay of the alar cartilages in rhinoplasty. DESIGN: Prospective study of patients undergoing intermediate crural overlay of the lower lateral cartilages. The setting was a facial plastic surgery private practice. Patients included 10 primary rhinoplasty patients and 1 revision rhinoplasty patient who underwent intermediate crural overlay of the lower lateral cartilages. The main outcome measures were postoperative photographs and patient records, which were reviewed for tip projection and rotation, preservation of the double break, bossae, and knuckling. RESULTS: Intermediate crural overlay decreased projection in all 11 patients and increased the nasolabial angle in 7 patients. One patient had no change in the nasolabial angle, and 3 patients had counterrotation of 1 degrees , 3 degrees , and 4 degrees . A postoperative physical examination revealed that no patient had developed bossae, tip asymmetries, or knuckling. In addition, the double break was maintained in all the study patients. CONCLUSIONS: Intermedial crural overlay is a reliable technique for achieving tip deprojection. Overall, the nasolabial angle is maintained (although in 3 patients, clinically insignificant counterrotation did occur). In addition, the length of the intermediate crura is reduced, but the double break is preserved. In the group of patients with thin skin and tip overprojection secondary to overdevelopment of the lower lateral cartilages, intermediate crural overlay achieves tip deprojection while controlling the nasolabial angle and preserving the natural curvature of the dome.     

The role of nasal feminization rhinoplasty in male-to-female gender reassignment

OBJECTIVE: To objectively assess the results of rhinoplasty in feminizing the facial profiles of male-to-female transsexual patients undergoing gender reassignment. METHODS: Twelve patients underwent nasal feminization as part of male-to-female gender reassignment. Global assessments of facial profile were performed, and nasofrontal, nasolabial, and supratip angles and the Goode ratio were objectively measured. Postoperative and long-term patient satisfaction was assessed. RESULTS: The surgical procedures created more feminine nasal profiles in all patients. The mean +/- SD nasofrontal angle changed from 141.6 degrees +/- 6.0 degrees to 150.5 degrees +/- 5.5 degrees (P < .001). The nasolabial angle changed from 107.4 degrees +/- 14.3 degrees to 115.2 degrees +/- 11.7 degrees (P < .001), and the supratip angle from 1.7 degrees +/- 4.9 degrees to 12.8 degrees +/- 5.8 degrees (P < .001). The Goode ratio did not change significantly, remaining on average around 1.64 +/- 0.15. In 4 cases, spreader grafts were used to reconstruct the nasal valve, and no cases of valve insufficiency occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinoplasty is effective in achieving feminine facial profiles in patients undergoing male-to-female gender reassignment. This requires reducing the overall nasal size and changing nasal angles to those more reminiscent of the female form. Because of the extensive resections often required to modify the nasal form, it is important to pay particular attention to preserving function, which may require concomitant nasal valve reconstruction.     

Dome truncation for management of the overprojected nasal tip

The nasal tip highlights the facial profile, and in its most aesthetic configuration subtly projects anterior to the dorsum to create a soft supratip break. Overprojection of the tip in relation to the vertical facial plane and the nasal dorsum represents one variant of nasal-facial disproportion that can adversely affect an otherwise pleasant facial appearance. Several strategies for reducing either the lateral or the medial crus to deproject the tip have been suggested. This article describes a method of direct truncation of the dome using an external rhinoplasty approach that can reliably produce tip retrodisplacement while maintaining, or enhancing, tip rotation. Tip definition and projection are optimized by precise, direct reduction of the overprojected dome region and accurate sculpting and realignment of the remaining crural units. When the tip is retrodisplaced, alar flaring can occur; therefore, alar base reduction can substantially enhance the final outcome.     

Effect of Nasal Tip Surgery on Asian Noses Using the Transdomal Suture Technique

The past two decades have ushered in a new era of nasal tip surgery. The new philosophy focuses on preserving and reorienting nasal tip structures. Modern suture techniques can give predictable results because of more precise suture placement. Only a few reports, however, have objectively evaluated the suture techniques for Asians. Accordingly, the authors aimed to assess the efficacy of the tip suture technique through projection and rotation analysis. We focused on transdomal sutures because they involve one of the most popular suture techniques. Preoperative and postoperative photographs of 85 patients who underwent rhinoplasty at Inha University Hospital between June 2002 and June 2004 were analyzed. The patients were categorized into four groups according to the techniques used. Tip projection was measured by the modified Heuzinger’s method and tip rotation by the nasolabial angle. The pre- and postoperative indexes were compared within each group and among the four groups. Paired and unpaired t tests were used for statistical analysis. When the pre- and postoperative indexes were compared within each group, only the combined technique (transdomal suture with onlay graft) showed significant tip projection improvement. All tip surgeries resulted in insignificant tip rotation increase. Comparison among the four groups showed no significant difference based on the type of tip surgery performed. The suture technique has many advantages, although it has some limitations with Asian noses, especially if used alone. Therefore, we recommend using the suture technique in combination with other tip surgical procedures, such as onlay grafts, to achieve significant tip projection.