Different techniques for caudal extension graft placement in rhinoplasty

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Including Nasal Breathing Improvement After Functional Rhinoplasty Using Endonasal Septal Extension Grafting

Objective: To measure the change perceived by patients after endonasal rhinoplasty using a, septal extension graft (SEG), as measured by patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods: A retrospective review of patients with nasal obstruction underwent septoplasty, turbinoplasty, and SEG. PROMs were assessed to compare operative outcomes for breathing (Nose Obstruction Symptom Evaluation [NOSE], Sinonasal Outcome Test [SNOT]-22, Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey [SCHNOS]), and sleep quality (Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS]) Results: Of the 34 patients undergoing rhinoplasty with Endonasal SEG, the median patient age was 38.3 years (range 17-58) and mostly male (n = 18, 52.9%). Additional procedures performed on the patients included septoplasty (n = 34, 100%) and turbinate reduction (n = 34, 100%). Average follow-up was 126.6 days (range 28-573) for a majority of PROMs. There were no complications. The average change in NOSE score was 71.5 and -49.4 (standard deviation [SD] = 19.0, p < 0.001). SNOT-22 change was 35.4 and -24.2 (SD = 14.5, p < 0.001), and ESS scores averaged 6.7 and -3.4 (SD = 4.3, p < 0.001). The average SCHNOS total, functional, and cosmetic scores were 40.6, 67.9, and 22.4, respectively, and -28.0 (SD = 19.8), -44.5 (SD = 22.9), and 17.1 (SD = 24.6) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In this pilot study, patients reported improvement in nasal breathing after correcting a deviated caudal septum and applying an Endonasal SEG.

Effect of Septal Extension Graft on Creating and Maintaining Tip Rotation in Tongue-in-Groove Technique: A Case Control Study

OBJECTIVE

The outcome of rhinoplasty was evaluated in patients undergoing tongue-in-groove technique (TIG) with and without septal extension grafts (SEG) placement for stabilization of nasal tip rotation.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Three hundred and sixty-seven patients who underwent rhinoplasty using TIG from 2016 to 2020 were included in this study. SEG was used if the caudal segment of the septum was not suitable for TIG. All patients were photographed pre- and postoperatively. Columellar Facial angle (CFA) and Nasolabial angle (NLA) were measured preoperatively at three intervals including up to six months after the operation (early or T1), up to one year after T1 (midterm or T2), and up to two years after T2 (late or T3).

RESULTS

Two hundred and nine patients (56.94%) underwent TIG and the rest of them (43.06%) received SEG plus TIG (SEG+TIG). The TIG group had a mean CFA of 95.9±7.56 degrees preoperatively, 106.5±6.77 degrees at T1, 105.4±6.48 degrees at T2, and 104.8 ±7.52 at T3. The SEG+TIG had a mean CFA of 98.9±7.65 degrees preoperatively, 108.8±6.58 degrees at T1, 107.7±6.86 degrees at T2, and 106.2 ±15.6 at T3. Comparison of T1, T2, and T3 showed that the CFA changes were less than 1%, indicating a nonsignificant difference. The same results were obtained for NLA as well.

CONCLUSION

Adding of SEG to TIG may be an effective technique to create and maintain a stable rotation comparing to TIG independently.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

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Functional Outcomes of Septal Extension Grafting in Aesthetic Rhinoplasty: A Cohort Analysis

Background: Septal extension grafts (SEGs) are used widely in rhinoplasty as a means of controlling tip position. Grafts positioned in a side-to-side configuration may cause nasal airway obstruction. Methods: Retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing cosmetic rhinoplasty. Patients undergoing SEG placement were grouped according to completion of the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) or Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS). The latter has a cosmetic (C) and functional (O) domain. Each group was matched to a cohort that did not undergo SEG placement using criteria: preoperative NOSE or SCHNOS-O score, age, and gender. Patient demographics and outcomes, including NOSE, SCHNOS, and visual analog scale (VAS) scores, were compared between SEG and no-SEG groups using univariate and multivariate analyses. If patients underwent placement of an SEG and complained of obstruction, the laterality of the graft in relation to the complaint was examined. Results: SEGs were placed in 79 patients, of whom 77 completed the NOSE survey and 37 completed the SCHNOS-O both pre- and postoperatively. These patients were matched to patients without SEGs. For both the SCHNOS and NOSE-matched cohorts, functional outcomes (NOSE, SCHNOS-O, and VAS-F) did not significantly differ between SEG and no-SEG groups. These findings were also observed when patients were stratified by cosmetic surgery alone versus combined functional and cosmetic surgery. On multivariate linear regression analysis, when accounting for intraoperative techniques, there was no difference in postoperative NOSE or SCHNOS-O outcomes between the SEG and no-SEG cohorts. Side of postoperative nasal obstruction did not correlate with side of SEG placement. Conclusion: SEGs, when used in a unilateral side-to-side configuration, yield excellent aesthetic results without compromising functional outcomes.