Structural approach to endonasal rhinoplasty

The marriage of endonasal rhinoplasty with structural grafting has resulted in more consistent rhinoplasty results. The nasal base can be stabilized by tongue-in-groove techniques, a columellar strut, or extended columellar strut. The middle vault can be addressed with spreader grafts or butterfly grafts. Lower lateral cartilage weakness can be supported with alar batten grafts or repositioning of the lower lateral cartilages.     

The evolution of the combined use of endonasal and external columellar approaches to rhinoplasty

By individualizing rhinoplasty techniques for each patient and incorporating the lessons taught by the long-term follow-up on my rhinoplasty patients over the past 20 years, I have incorporated a blend of the endonasal and external columellar approaches to accomplish the desired aesthetic goals for my patients.By recognizing an increased need of spreader grafts for the midnasal vault, the placement of alar strut grafts to support the lateral crus, the use of alar spanning grafts and more suture grafts in the lobule, and refinement grafts in the nasal lobule, I have increased the use of the external columellar approach to approximately 50% of my rhinoplasties, which involves a significant number of secondary rhinoplasties and primary cases with specific indications. By paying attention to detail and using camouflage cartilage grafting, revision rates in my practice have fallen from approximately 7% to 4%.     

Correction of the retracted alar base

Alar base retraction is a common yet difficult problem faced by the rhinoplasty surgeon. It may be caused by weakened, overresected lateral crura, vestibular lining deficiencies, or congenital alar malpositioning. Methods of correction include soft tissue manipulation, auricular composite grafting, and cartilage grafting. We present the senior author's graded approach to alar retraction using auricular composite grafting, alar rim grafting, and lateral crural strut graft placement with caudal lateral crural repositioning.     

Suture contouring of the nasal tip

Scoring, morselizing, and resecting the alar cartilages in an attempt to modify the position and shape of the nasal tip may lead to postoperative distortions of the lobule. Contour grafts have the disadvantage of asymmetries, visible irregularities, and absorption. For these reasons, surgeons have adopted suture techniques as the primary method of recontouring the alar cartilages. My philosophy in dealing with mild to moderate tip deformities consists of the following principles: (1) limited or no resection of cartilages; (2) no scoring or morselization of alar cartilages, which produces irreversible change and unpredictable results; (3) use of support grafts in the form of columellar struts and lateral crural battens to supplement structure and correct intrinsic alar cartilage weaknesses; (4) reliance primarily on the use of sutures to recontour and position the tip; and (5) limited use of contour grafts for situations that cannot be corrected with sutures and support grafts. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2000;2:34-42     

Functional rhinoplasty: treatment of the dysfunctional nasal sidewall

Treatment of nasal obstruction caused by nasal valve dysfunction requires a thorough evaluation of the mechanics of normal nasal anatomy and function. Surgical correction of nasal valve dysfunction is based on determining the epicenter of dysfunction, whether it is a static obstruction of the internal nasal valve or a dynamic collapse of either the external nasal valve or the intervalve area. Spreader grafts, flaring sutures, and butterfly grafts are used to widen and support the narrow internal nasal valve. Alar batten grafts will add support to the collapsing nasal sidewall seen in external nasal valve and intervalve dysfunction. Correction of dynamic collapse from paradoxical concavity of the lateral crura may be obtained from the lateral crural flip-flop graft or by reconstructing the lateral crura using cartilage grafts. A strut graft may correct dynamic obstruction caused by a malformed, easily collapsible lateral crura. This article discusses the evaluation, treatment, and correction of the dysfunctional nasal sidewall and emphasizes the avoidance of iatrogenic damage to the sidewall while performing cosmetic rhinoplasty.     

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.     

Nasal trauma, two prior rhinoplasties

This article reviews a case of a woman presenting with nasal deformity following childhood nasal trauma and two subsequent rhinoplasties. Discussion for correction of these problems includes tip dome graft, shield and cap graft, superior and inferior cartilage onlay grafts, spreader graft, columellar strut, and lateral osteotomies. Pre- and postoperative photographs are provided with corresponding preoperative diagrams and schematics.     

Nasal valve surgery

Nasal obstruction can be due to internal and external valve problems that can be seen before and after rhinoplasty. The main scope of this article is to concentrate on surgical solutions to these problems. To overcome nasal obstruction at the internal valve, spreader grafts, spreader flaps, upper lateral splay graft, butterfly graft, flaring suture, M-plasty, Z-plasty, and suspension sutures have been described. The management of the external valve problems is possible by using lateral crural dissection and repositioning, lateral crural strut grafts, alar battens, lateral crural turn-in flap, alar rim grafts, and various other methods. It is not easy to decide which techniques would work best in every case. After a thorough examination and analysis, the underlying cause of the nasal obstruction can be understood, and one or multiple procedures can be chosen according to each individual problem.     

Simultaneous Open Rhinoplasty and Alar Base Excision for Secondary Cases

Background: Simultaneous open rhinoplasty and alar base excision are a very safe procedure for protecting the vascular supply of the nasal dip and the columellar skin in primary cases when surgical dissection is performed below the musculoaponeurotic layer of the nose. Major arteries of the external nose lie above the musculoaponeurotic layer. However, secondary cases may pose increased risks to the blood supply of the nasal tip and columella skin because of the decreased vascular supply and increased scar tissue from the previous rhinoplasty. We studied our secondary cases of simultaneous open rhinoplasty and alar base excision, to assess the real risk for necrosis of the nasal tip and columellar skin.Methods: A total of 12 secondary patients (6 men and 6 women) underwent simultaneous open rhinoplasty and alar base excision in the past 3 years. Their average age was 27 years (range, 21–35 years). The average follow-up period was 15 months (range, 1–35 moths). A modified grading system, originally described by Bafaqeeh and Al-Qattan, was used for assessment of the blood supply in the nasal tip and the columellar skin.Results: Satisfactory results were obtained for our patients, with the exception of one case. Grade 3 vascular compromise to the nasal tip and the columella was observed in one case, but the patient healed well with wound care treatment.Conclusion: Simultaneous alar base excision and open rhinoplasty can be performed safely in secondary cases. However some surgical maneuvers such as subcutaneous pocket preparation for the tip graft in closed rhinoplasty and subdermal defatting in the first rhinoplasty as well as previous scarring on the nasal lobule can disrupt the vascular supply of the nasal tip and columella skin. Under these conditions, alar base excision should be deferred and then performed as an isolated excision procedure.     

The comma-shaped tip cartilage graft

Conventional onlay grafts of cartilage to the tip, columella, and alar margin provide valuable techniques for the refinement of minor deformities in both primary and secondary rhinoplasty. However, they cannot produce a full restoration of the dynamic anatomy of the lower lateral cartilages, which give forward thrust and arch support to the tip and nostril margins. For these grosser problems another graft design has been devised by the author. A report is given of the successful use of a comma-shaped septal graft used for over five years in selected cases of secondary rhinoplasty. The graft replaces the deficient lateral crus and alar dome and is sculpted and then sprung into position so that it restores function and gives the desired aesthetic effect.     

长盾形和多层盖板耳廓软骨移植物在鼻尖整形中的应用

目的:探讨长盾形和多层盖板耳廓软骨移植物在鼻尖塑造中的应用。方法:在分离、修整、缝合下外侧软骨穹窿部的基础上,于耳后颅耳沟切口切取耳廓软骨,修剪成长盾形及2~3块盖板移植物,用于鼻尖的塑形。结果:共11例患者,随访时间6~24月,效果满意,无严重并发症发生。结论:长盾形和多层盖板耳廓软骨移植物可以良好的修饰鼻尖,取材方便,操作简单,效果肯定。     

Surgical management of concavities of the distal nose

Normal topographic anatomy of the distal nose is a reflection of the delicate integration between the lower lateral cartilage, the upper lateral cartilage, the sep-tum, and skin. Understanding these relationships will help the rhinoplasty surgeon diagnose and treat con-cavities of the distal nose. Most patients present with a hybrid of these defects. For example, the patient in Fig. 19 presented for a primary rhinoplasty. A variety of concavities can be noted and include dorsal septal deflection, upper lateral cartilage avulsion on the left,bilateral lower lateral complete concavities, and the beginning of a dorsal depression (Fig. 19A-I). The nasal skeleton and the skin and soft tissue are normally in equilibrium, but trauma and reduction rhino-plasty disrupts this equilibrium. Skeletal distortion can lead to septal deflection, middle vault collapse, or alar buckling [20]. It is important to realize that correction of deflection or depression by excision needs to be balanced with augmentation, which provides balance for the previously disequilibrated skeletal and soft tissue forces. Augmentation can be done with spreader grafts, tip grafts, columellar strut, and dorsal grafts. A patient's soft tissue envelope will also play a major role in the success of a septorhinoplasty. The surgical principles of septorhinoplasty such as judicious resculpting of the cartilaginous framework, respect of major tip support, tip grafting technique, and postoperative tissue contraction still apply and must be placed in conjunction with repairing a pathological topographic concavity.     

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.     

牙槽裂植骨同期鼻中隔骨支架植入鼻整形术

目的　研究在牙槽裂植骨修复的同时 ,利用自体髂骨皮质板块 ,修复单侧唇腭裂鼻畸形。方法　 10岁以后的单侧完全性唇腭裂患者 ,采用自体髂骨松质骨移植修复牙槽裂 ,同时采取髂骨内侧骨皮质修整后植入两侧鼻翼软骨内侧脚之间 ,形成鼻中隔前下部的骨性基础支架 ,将分离复位的鼻翼软骨内侧脚提升 ,使软骨穹窿顶超过骨性支架的上缘约 3mm ,将软骨缝合固定于骨性支架。结果　本组 2 4例患者均一期痊愈出院 ,患侧鼻翼基部凹陷、鼻小柱偏斜、鼻尖低平等畸形得到良好的矫正。结论　牙槽裂植骨与鼻畸形整复同期进行互不干扰。鼻中隔前骨性支架对鼻的外形结构有良好的支持作用 ,可以有效地矫正唇腭裂鼻畸形 ;与牙槽裂植骨同期进行 ,取材方便 ,减少了手术及麻醉的次数。     

Rhinoplasty: open tip suture techniques: a 25-year experience

Based on a 25-year experience, the author considers open tip suture techniques to be the best method of achieving consistent and reproducible tip changes that can please patients with a wide variety of tip deformities. The described technique consists of selecting the ideal combination of the following six sutures: (1) columellar strut and suture, (2) domal creation, (3) interdomal, (4) domal equalization, (5) tip position, and (6) lateral crural convexity. If additional definition is required, then tip refinement grafts can be added to accommodate thicker skin or lateral crura abnormalities.     

Aesthetic rhinoplasty: Avoiding unfavourable results

Rhinoplasty is one of the most challenging surgical procedures in plastic surgery. It is not surprising that a significant number of patients end up with unfavourable outcomes. Many of these unfavourable outcomes could be the result of poor judgment and wrong decision making. Most frequently, the unfavourable outcome is the result of errors in surgical technique. In this paper, unfavourable outcomes resulting from errors in surgical technique are discussed under the heading of each operative step. Poor placement of intra-nasal incision can result in internal valve obstruction. Bad columellar scars can result from errors during open rhinoplasty. Unfavourable results associated with skeletonisation are mentioned. Tip plasty, being the most difficult part of rhinoplasty, can result in lack of tip projection, asymmetry and deformities associated with placement of tip grafts. Over-resection of the lower lateral cartilages during tip plasty can also result in pinched nose, alar collapse causing external valve obstruction and other alar rim deformities. Humpectomy can result in open roof deformity, inverted V deformity and over-resection resulting in saddle nose. The so-called poly beak deformity is also a preventable unfavourable outcome when dealing with a large dorsal hump. Complications resulting from osteotomies include narrowing of nasal airway, open roof deformity, inverted V deformity and asymmetry of the bony wall resulting from incomplete or green stick fractures. Judicious use of grafts can be very rewarding. By the same token, grafts also carry with them the risk of complications. Allografts can result in recurrent infection, atrophy of the overlying skin and extrusion resulting in crippling deformities. Autografts are recommended by the author. Unfavourable results from autografts include displacement of graft, visibility of the graft edges, asymmetry, warping, and resorption.KEY WORDS: Aesthetic rhinoplasty, hump resection, osteotomy, radix, unfavourable results     

Total reconstruction of the alar cartilages with a partially split septal cartilage graft

The alar cartilage is a unique structure that supports the tip of the nose, keeps the external valve open, and plays an important role in tip aesthetics. Very often the plastic surgeon needs to reconstruct this cartilage, as in secondary rhinoplasties when the lower lateral cartilage is overresected. Many authors have described cartilage grafts taken from the ear and septum, mounted and stitched in various manners, with some very good results. In patients with thin skin, though, any irregularity or distortion in the grafts becomes visible after a short time postoperatively. The authors present an alternative to reconstructing alar cartilage symmetrically using one graft. This graft is obtained by shaping septal cartilage in an "L" form, with a 135-deg angle (instead of a 90-deg angle) between its legs, and then splitting the smaller leg, obtaining a strut from the longer leg and two "lateral crura" from the shorter leg.