Bilateral Double Dome: A Case Report

The authors present an unusual case of nasal tip deformity of the nose not mentioned in the literature. The nose tip presented hypertrophy of all the components of the crura and the cranial part of the lateral crus was rotated externally and widened. An extra dome was present bilaterally between the medial crus and the medial part of the lateral crus. This increased the columella show and made it deformed like a break in the middle of the columella. An open-approach rhinoplasty was performed and the alar cartilages were reshaped.     

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.     

An anatomic study of nasal tip supporting structures

Successful rhinoplasty depends on nasal tip support and its influence on nasal tip projection. It is generally agreed that the components of nasal tip support include the attachment between the upper and lower lateral cartilages, the attachment between the lateral crus of the lower lateral cartilage and the pyriform aperture, the attachment between the paired domes of the lower lateral cartilages, and the medial crural attachment to the caudal septum. However, these structures are still not clearly determined, and there was no anatomic study of nasal tip supporting structures in Asia. The purpose of this study was to determine the nasal tip supporting structures and find out the differences in these structures between white and Asian people. Ten noses of fresh cadavers were investigated. Dissection was performed and the previously mentioned nasal tip supporting structures were observed and excised. Histologic examination was done with hematoxylin and eosin stain and Van Gieson elastin stain. Macroscopic study showed that there were dense fibrous tissue between the upper and lower lateral cartilages, dense fibrous tissue and sesamoid cartilages between the lateral crus and the pyriform aperture, loose connective tissue between the paired domes of lower lateral cartilages, and no identified specific tissue between the medial crus and the caudal septum. Microscopic investigation allowed a more detailed analysis of these structures. Between the upper and lower lateral cartilages, dense collagen fibers were running in one direction and anchoring firmly to each cartilage, which meets the histologic criteria of a ligament. Between the lateral crus and the pyriform aperture, there were intermingled collagen fibers and muscular fibers, which meets the histologic criteria of fibromuscular tissue. Between the paired domes of lower lateral cartilages, there were few fibers with abundant amorphous ground substances, which meets the histologic criteria of loose connective tissue. Based on our results, we recommend that the previously mentioned nasal tip supporting structures should be named intercartilaginous ligament, sesamoid fibromuscular tissue, and interdomal loose connective tissue, respectively. In addition, we consider that the loose connection between the domes of middle crura and the absence of an attachment of the medial crura to the caudal septum can be one of the reasons why the nasal tip of Asian people is broad and unprojected and the base is wide.     

Short columella nasolabial complex in aesthetic rhinoplasty

Many papers describe different approaches for short columella in cleft lip or Negroid noses. Very little has been found in international literature related to these aesthetic rhinoplasties. The scarce skin of the columella, the firm union between the nasal tip and the lip, due to the hypertrophy of the depressor septi nasi muscle, and the low projection of the nasal tip, consequence of the open position of the caudal part of the medial crura, are the cause of this problem. Therefore, the skin, muscle, and cartilage were treated simultaneously. Herein is described a VY composite advanced flap for projecting the tip, suturing both divergent medial crura together and adding the skin and muscle tissues of the lip to the columella. With this flap the tip was projected, the columella was narrowed, the nasolabial angle improved, and the upper lip elongated. Good results could be achieved without using any other cartilage graft or silastic strut. Standard rhinoplasty and septumplasty could be combined with this technique. Inconspicuous scars were observed.     

The effect of releasing tip-supporting structures in short-nose correction

Correction of a short nose has been regarded as one of the most challenging and at times vexing procedures in rhinoplasty. One surgical option used to prolong nasal length is the freeing of the alar cartilages from adjacent structures by dividing the nasal tip supporting tissues. Five fibrous connections are known to be important in maintaining the nasal tip shape: fibrous tissues between the upper lateral and lower lateral cartilages; the lateral border of the lower lateral cartilages at the pyriform aperture; the interdormal ligament and anterior septal angle; the footplate of the medial crus and septal cartilage; and the dermocartilaginous ligament. This study was designed to determine which of the fibrous connections providing nasal tip support offer the most effect of lengthening when these structures are divided. We performed 10 open rhinoplasties on fresh cadavers, and we sequentially divided the previously mentioned tip-supporting structures, except the dermocartilaginous ligament. The mucoperichondrium of the upper lateral and septal cartilages was also elevated, in accordance with the usual order of being released in a short-nose correction procedure. We measured the distance between the anterior septal angle and tip-defining points by using calipers while the middle crura of the lower lateral cartilages were stretched with a skin hook. We found that the most effective length was gained by severing the lateral crus from the upper lateral cartilages, and moderate gain was noted from the release at the pyriform aperture and mucoperichondrium of the upper lateral cartilage. Release of other tip-defining structures was not statistically effective.     

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.     

Advantages of adding a footplate incision in Asian rhinoplasty

The dimension, shape, and projection of the nasal tip are significantly determined by the position of the footplates of the medial crura. The length of the footplate segment in Asians is much longer than that in Caucasians. A surgeon may be able to use a longer footplate segment when operating on an Asian to recreate the lower vault of the nose more effectively. The purpose of this study is to introduce the advantages of addition of a footplate incision to obtain greater satisfaction in esthetic rhinoplasty for Asians. This incision is extended along the caudal border of the footplate of the medial crura onto the floor of the nasal vestibule bilaterally, in endonasal or open approach rhinoplasty. By approximating the lateral curves of the medial crural footplates, the width and the length of the columella could be narrowed and lengthened. The columella can also be advanced caudally and thus elongate the shape of the nostrils. In addition, a cartilage graft or an implant insertion for alar base augmentation could be performed through this footplate incision, eliminating the need for an additional incision. Another advantage is that, during the correction of caudal septal deviation, displaced septal cartilage can be repositioned by suturing to the periosteum or soft tissue around the anterior nasal spine without drilling into it through an intraoral incision. One hundred ten consecutive patients who underwent esthetic rhinoplasty using our footplate incision technique between August of 1999 and May of 2002 were included in this study. A total of 66 patients had an adequate follow-up time of over 6 months. Patient satisfaction and postoperative complications were recorded. The majority of the patients (57/66 cases) were satisfied with the results of the procedure. The authors believe that the addition of the footplate incision in esthetic rhinoplasty is safe and reliable for effecting better results for Asians.     

Duplicated right crus of the diaphragm: a cadaveric case report

The lumbar part of the diaphragm arises from the lumbar vertebrae by right and left crura. The duplication of crura of the diaphragm is rarely reported in the past. During regular dissection classes to the medical students, we came across a case of duplicated right crus of the diaphragm. The right crus of the diaphragm was duplicated completely and presented two separate crura; medial right crus & lateral right crus. The medial right crus was attached to the anterolateral surfaces of the superior three lumbar vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs and merged with the anterior longitudinal ligament. The lateral right crus attached only to the intervertebral disc between the third and fourth lumbar vertebrae. These two crura bordered a retrocrural space in the inferior posterior mediastinum. The greater and lesser splanchnic nerves entered the abdomen by passing through this space. No duplication was observed in the left crus. The muscle fibres of medial right crus contributed to the formation of the esophageal opening. Knowledge of variations in the diaphragmatic crural anatomy is useful in the diagnosis of disease processes in the retrocrural space and also might help while performing the surgical repair of gastroesophageal reflux disease.     

Preservation of the Nasal Valve Area With a Lateral Crural Hinged Flap: A Cadaveric Study

Background  

Overresection of the lateral crura of the lower lateral cartilages is referred to as the most common cause of nasal valve collapse after rhinoplasty. The modern approach to functional rhinoplasty recognizes the importance of the tip framework’s structural integrity and preserves tip support.     

鼻中隔软骨游离移植矫正鼻尖圆钝肥大

目的 探讨以自体鼻中隔软骨移植在鼻尖圆钝螯形术中的应用.方法 取1整块自体鼻中隔软骨片,移植于鼻中隔软骨前端,作为鼻中隔延伸支架,将两侧鼻翼软骨收拢缝合固定于支架上.同时,剪除部分外侧脚近端软骨,修剪鼻尖过多的软组织,以突出鼻尖轮廓.结果 126例,术后随访1年,118例（94%）效果满意,8例因鼻尖皮肤过厚,效果未达到患者满意程度.结论 临床实践证明,所介绍的方法 是治疗鼻尖圆钝肥大的良好可行方法.     

Augmentation rhinoplasty with soft tissue and cartilage

Augmentation rhinoplasty using soft tissue and cartilage was performed on 120 patients and the results were reexamined. They were found to be satisfactory and without complication. To narrow a round tip, a resection of two-thirds of the lateral crus cephalad portion and a transection of the caudal portion with a strip resection was done. To elevate the tip, septal cartilage was sutured to one-third of the upper part of medial crus to form a columella cartilage strut. To maintain the strut and to prevent pointing, a fibrous muscle tissue stretching from the medial crus to the upper cartilage or a dermis was transplanted into the area surrounding the septal cartilage tip. For a simple elevation of the dorsum, an onlay graft of dermis was applied, but where further elevation was required, further dermis and conchal cartilage was added for suture and attachment to the dermis.     

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.     

External Valve Deformity: Correction by Composite Flap Elevation and Mattress Sutures

Background  

Deformities of the external valve (lateral crus) are an occasional problem following rhinoplasty. One of the most notable problems is when the posterior aspect of the lateral crus curls around into the vestibule. It not only obstructs the airway but can be aesthetically displeasing to the patient. Traditional correction including grafts works can be complicated and often leaves the lateral wall bulky.     

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.     

Lateral crus pull-up: a method for collapse of the external nasal valve

Collapse of the nasal vestibule during inspiration is a frequently encountered symptom, often caused by weak or medially displaced lateral crura in the lower lateral cartilages. Numerous techniques are available for lateralizing and strengthening the lateral crura using cartilage grafts or suture techniques. In most cases, they involve an external rhinoplasty approach or additional incisions. An elegant endonasal method for widening and strengthening the lateral component of the nasal valve area is described herein. The basis of the procedure is a permanent submucosal spanning suture between the piriform aperture and the distal part of the lower lateral cartilage. The effect of this technique is 2-fold. First, it provides superolateral rotation of the lateral crura, increasing the cross-sectional area, and second, the spanning suture provides additional support for the lateral wall of the nasal vestibule.     

耳软骨整体再造鼻侧软骨的可行性分析

目的：以耳软骨为供区,探索整体再造鼻侧软骨的方法。方法：20具（40侧）尸体标本,取下耳软骨40枚,鼻侧软骨40枚。CT扫描后重建三维图像,测量鼻侧软骨各解剖分区的相关数据。设计耳软骨3个供区可整体移植再造同侧鼻侧软骨,测量相关的形态数据。结果：耳软骨3个供区的相关形态数据大于同侧鼻侧软骨的相应数据。结论：耳甲腔、耳屏及两者之间连接的峡部（CVIT区域）,三角窝、耳轮及两者的连接部（TFH区域）,耳甲艇、耳轮及两者之间的连接部分（CBH区域）可整体取下,修整后整体再造同侧鼻侧软骨。     

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.     

Turn-in Folding of the Cephalic Portion of the Lateral Crus to Support the Alar Rim in Rhinoplasty

Backgrounds The hypoplastic, weak lateral crus of the nose may cause concave alar rim deformity, and in severe cases, even alar rim collapse. These deformities may lead to both aesthetic disfigurement and functional impairment of the nose. Methods The cephalic part of the lateral crus was folded and fixed to reinforce the lateral crus. The study included 17 women and 15 men with a median age of 24 years. The average follow-up period was 12 months. For 23 patients, the described technique was used to treat concave alar rim deformity, whereas for 5 patients, who had thick and sebaceous skin, it was used to prevent weakness of the alar rim. The remaining 4 patients underwent surgery for correction of a collapsed alar valve. Results Satisfactory results were achieved without any complications. Conclusions Turn-in folding of the cephalic portion of lateral crus not only functionally supports the lateral crus, but also provides aesthetic improvement of the nasal tip as successfully as cephalic excision of the lateral crura.     

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.