Exploiting the septum for maximal tip control

Evidence-Based Dynamics in Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a delicate surgical procedure that requires a thorough understanding of the dynamic interplay between the various structures of the nose. Any changes made to one part of the nose can have downstream effects on the overall harmony and appearance of the nose. For this reason, it is crucial for surgeons to be aware of these potential impacts in order to achieve predictable and aesthetically pleasing results. In this article, we aim to provide a summary of the current evidence-based conclusions on the dynamic influence of the radix, dorsum, tip, and ala during rhinoplasty. By understanding the complex relationships between these structures, surgeons can make informed decisions and achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients.

Tip Ligament Preservation and Suspension: Why and How?

This issue of Clinics explores the concept of "preservation" rhinoplasty. At present, this topic is gaining considerable attention. As proponents of preservation suggest, a great number of problems we encounter in rhinoplasty are problems that were not present before the surgery; therefore, they can often be attributable to the deconstruction and reconstruction that took place. Preservation rhinoplasty should be viewed generally as a mindset to limit deconstructive steps in rhinoplasty when possible, understanding that these steps and those to later reconstruct provide the potential to create new problems that did not previously exist.

Nasal Tip Deformities After Primary Rhinoplasty

Nasal tip deformities after primary rhinoplasty may occur, including the formation of bossae, a pinched nasal tip, and nasal tip ischemia. Because of the central location in the midface, even minimal nasal tip deformities (small bossa) may be noticed and upsetting to the patient. This is in addition to more severe nasal tip deformities, including nasal tip ischemia, that are easily visible to any viewer. Prevention, early recognition, and, depending on the case, intervention are critical in minimizing these complications. If complications do occur, regular communication with the patient and follow-up are crucial.

Correction of the Over-resected Nose

Overzealous reduction during rhinoplasty may result in manifold functional as well as aesthetic injuries to the nose and is a prevailing antecedent of revision rhinoplasty. Although challenges for the revision rhinoplasty surgeon abound, careful assessment of the anatomic deficiencies of the nose, accurate evaluation and management of a patient's expectations, and precise planning and execution of surgical technique serve to facilitate a successful result. Contemporary techniques for correction of the over-resected nose are discussed, with special attention directed toward costal cartilage grafting and diced cartilage fascia techniques.

Tip-Oriented Closed Rhinoplasty Built on Septocolumellar Suture and a New Caudal Septal Graft Technique

BACKGROUND

A beautiful and appealing nose receives the greatest contribution from the nasal tip subunit, which should be regarded as the primary center of attention during a rhinoplasty procedure. In achieving the desired shape and position of the nasal tip during closed rhinoplasty, the septocolumellar suture functions as the major determinant together with the caudal portion of the septal cartilage, which has a significant influence on the versatility of the septocolumellar suture. The purpose of this study was to present the analysis of the indications, the technical steps, and the advantages of caudal septal graft and septocolumellar suture utilization in closed rhinoplasty.

METHODS

The septocolumellar suture with or without the caudal septal graft combination procedure has been performed in 2286 patients via a closed rhinoplasty approach. Intraoperatively, the septal cartilage at hand was thoroughly evaluated and one of the 5 types of caudal septal grafts was used when necessary. After the establishment of a strong and straight septal cartilage with sufficient height and length, 4 different septocolumellar sutures in a specific order were used to modify the relationship between the lower lateral cartilages and the nasal septum.

RESULTS

Of the 2286 cases, 1837 (80.3%) were primary and 449 (19.7%) secondary rhinoplasties, which have been followed up for 9 to 48 months. The caudal septal graft was combined to the septocolumellar suture in 621 (27.1%) patients. Of the caudal septal grafts, 69.7% were used for primary rhinoplasty cases, and 30.3% for secondary rhinoplasties. At the 18th month postoperatively, tip projection was found to be satisfactory for 98% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The septocolumellar suture combined with caudal septal graft in closed rhinoplasty substantially facilitates the achievement of a cosmetically and functionally pleasing end result, bringing the solution for a wide array of problems such as short nose, supratip deformity, nasolabial angle change, or columellar bowing. Nevertheless, the technique has a steep learning curve; therefore, a meticulous preoperative evaluation should be exerted, a precise surgical planning should be prosecuted, and an excessive reduction of the nasal tip or exaggerated columellar retraction should be avoided.

An Overview of Asian Rhinoplasty

East Asian rhinoplasty is an expanding topic in the field of rhinoplasty. Although the main principles of various rhinoplasty techniques apply equally to the East Asian nose, East Asian rhinoplasty is unique owing to its different anatomy and ethnicity. In recent years, there have been some noteworthy developments in East Asian rhinoplasty. Traditional techniques using alloplastic implants with endonasal approach are changing due to the advent of new beauty concept, introduction of new techniques, and development of newly improved materials expended polytetrafluoroethylene as an alloplastic material has gained popularity in Asian augmentation rhinoplasty. Soft expended polytetrafluoroethylene sheets as augmentation material provide promise in the future. In this review, we will highlight some of the recent advances of Asian rhinoplasty with emphasis on dorsal augmentation, advances in implant material, and tip surgery using autologous cartilage.

A modified septal extension graft for the Asian nasal tip

IMPORTANCE

Septal extension graft is an effective procedure in tip plasty because it can provide stable structural support for the nasal tip. However, in Asian patients septal cartilage is much weaker, thinner, and smaller than that of white people, causing the existing caudal septal cartilage and the septal extension graft to deviate to the opposite side of graft placement.

OBJECTIVE

To introduce an effective and reliable modified septal extension graft in tip plasty.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Observational study of a total of 143 patients (84 undergoing primary rhinoplasty and 59 undergoing secondary rhinoplasty).

INTERVENTION

A modified septal extension graft technique in combination with other procedures, including tip graft and implant augmentation.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE

Subjective evaluation based on photographic analysis.

RESULTS

This procedure was applied in 143 Asian patients, with substantial improvement seen in the nasal tip of all patients except for 3 (1 for the overprojected nasal tip and 2 for bending of existing caudal septum). Other complications included infection in 1 patient and implant deviation in 1 patient; the implant and grafts were removed 10 days after surgery in the patient with infection. The other patient underwent revision 3 months after surgery for the deviated implant.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This technique is an effective method to provide long-term, stable nasal tip support. It helps to set the existing caudal septum and the septal extension grafts exactly at the anterior midline and decrease the deviation of the nasal tip.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

An introduction to the septal extension graft

The septal extension graft is a very useful method of controlling nasal lengthening and tip projection, rotation, and shape by fixing a graft to the septum, which leads to a strong supporting structure. Enhancing graft stability is important for better long-term outcomes and minimizing complications or relapse, and even more efficient application of these methods is needed for East Asians who lack enough cartilage to be harvested in addition to possessing a weak cartilage framework. In this paper, the methods for overcoming the drawbacks of the septal extension graft, such as instability, a fixed tip, and insufficiency of cartilage, are presented, and the applications of each method for greater satisfaction with surgical outcomes are also discussed.

Obtaining maximal stability with a septal extension technique in East asian rhinoplasty

Recently, in Korea, the septal extension graft from the septum or rib has become a common method of correcting a small or short nose. The success rate of this method has led to the blind faith that it provides superior tip projection and definition, and to the failure to notice its weaknesses. Even if there is a sufficient amount of cartilage, improper separation or fixation might waste the cartilage, resulting in an inefficient operation. Appropriate resection and effective fixation are essential factors for economical rhinoplasty. The septal extension graft is a remarkable procedure since it can control the nasal tip bidirectionally and three dimensionally. Nevertheless, it has a serious drawback since resection is responsible for septal weakness. Safe resection and firm reconstruction of the framework should be carried out. Operating on the basis of the principle of "safe harvest" and rebuilding the structures is important. Further, it is important to learn several techniques to manage septal weakness, insufficient cartilage quantity, and failure of the rigid frame during the surgery.

L-shaped columellar strut in East asian nasal tip plasty

Background

Nasal tip support is an essential consideration for rhinoplasty in East Asians. There are many techniques to improve tip projection, and among them, the columellar strut is the most popular technique. However, the conventional design is less supportive for rotating the tip. The amount of harvestable septal cartilage is relatively small in East Asians. For an optimal outcome, we propose an L-shaped design for applying the columellar strut.

Methods

To evaluate the anthropometric outcomes, the change in nasal tip projection and the columella-labial angle were analyzed by comparing preoperative and postoperative photographs. The anthropometric study group consisted of 25 patients who underwent the same operative technique of an L-shaped strut graft using septal cartilage and were followed up for more than 9 months.

Results

There were statistically significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative values in the nasal tip projection ratio and columella-labial angle. We did not observe any complications directly related to the L-shaped columellar strut in the anthropometric study group.

Conclusions

The L-shaped columellar strut has advantages not only in the controlling of tip projection and rotation, but in that it needs a smaller amount of cartilage compared to the conventional septal extension graft. It can therefore be an alternative technique for nasal tip plasty when there is an insufficient amount of harvestable septal cartilage.

Structure rhinoplasty of the long nose

Rhinoplasty modifies the aesthetic appearance and functional properties of the nose with operative manipulation of the skin, underlying cartilage, bone, and linings. A long nose is an aesthetically undesired feature disturbing the harmony of the face. The underlying pathology of the long nose may be due to either a long septum that invades the lip or dislocation of the alar cartilages downward from the aponeurotic attachments to the septal angle. The increase in the nasal height due to a dorsal nasal hump may give an illusion of a long nose. An absent or shallow frontonasal angle also gives the illusion of a long nose. With the introduction of the dynamics of the nasal structures and dynamics in rhinoplasty, recreation of a straight nasal dorsum and a normal frontonasal angle dynamically shortens the long nose. This study presents a multicenter experience (three centers) in rhinoplasty of long noses. The study included 138 patients who complained of having a long nose. The study employed the concept of structure rhinoplasty to address the three-dimensional nasal structures contributing directly or indirectly to the appearance of the long nose rather than the traditional excisional techniques. Based on objective and subjective evaluation, shortening of the nose was achieved in 122 patients (88.4%) with better overall nasal aesthetics. The study concluded that structure rhinoplasty, which addresses the three-dimensional nasal anatomy, maximizes the aesthetic and functional outcomes when treating the long-nose deformity.

Nasal tip surgery using a modified septal extension graft by means of extended marginal incision

BACKGROUND

The columellar strut is considered one of the standard procedures in nasal tip surgery, as it provides a structural foundation for the nasal tip. Although effective for most Caucasians, the columellar strut often results in a suboptimal outcome and does not provide an adequate foundation in Asian tip surgery. For an optimal outcome, the authors propose a different surgical paradigm for Asian tip surgery.

METHODS

Using an extended marginal incision, a wide-field endonasal dissection is performed and the distal nasal framework including the alar cartilages and the caudal septum is exposed widely. A septal extension graft is made from a preoperatively designed paper template, with markings for anchoring the alar cartilage and overlapping with the caudal septum. The extension graft is fixed to the caudal septum and the alar cartilages are sutured to the extension graft at the precise position using markings transferred to the extension graft.

RESULTS

This procedure was applied in 217 Asian rhinoplasties, with all patients having substantial improvement in their nasal tip shape. The advantages of this technique are numerous and include stable tip support and versatility in nasal tip modification. The same basic techniques and sequence can be applied to correct a wide range of tip deformities found in Asian noses.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors' surgical paradigm combining the modified septal extension graft with wide-field endonasal dissections provides a unique opportunity to gain greater control and a more predictable outcome in Asian tip surgery. Stable septal support is crucial to the success of this technique.

The intercartilaginous graft for actual and potential alar retraction

BACKGROUND

Alar retraction deformities occasionally require significant soft-tissue release and relatively large cartilage grafts. In addition, correction of the short nose by only lengthening the septum can result in potential postoperative alar retraction. Consequently, both types of cases, true and potential alar retraction (in short noses), would benefit from a technique that lengthens the sidewall of the nose.

METHODS

The intercartilaginous graft technique is a modification of the lateral crural strut graft technique. An intercartilaginous graft is inserted between the upper lateral cartilage and what remains of the lateral crus (lateral crus element). The technique emphasizes maximum soft-tissue release to insert a cartilaginous graft that spans the gap between the upper lateral cartilage and the lateral crus element. The graft is inserted under slight tension to maintain maximum lengthening of the sidewall of the nose.

RESULTS

Thirteen patients had intercartilaginous grafts placed. Seven patients had actual alar retraction and six patients had short noses with potential alar retraction. There was no postoperative alar retraction in 10 patients. Two patients with actual alar retraction were not completely corrected, and one required surgical revision. One patient with a short nose exhibited postoperative alar retraction, but it was not significant enough to warrant reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

The intercartilaginous graft technique, a modification of the lateral crural strut graft technique, corrects moderate to severe alar retraction and prevents alar retraction after lengthening of very short noses. Its success depends on substantial soft-tissue release and insertion of a maximal sized graft between the upper lateral cartilage and the lateral crus element under slight tension.

A technical refinement to prevent supratip deformity in aesthetic rhinoplasty: "the trapezoid peak"

BACKGROUND

The relationship between appropriate caudal dorsum resection and supratip deformity or inadequate tip projection currently is clear. Correct quadrangular cartilage management seems to have a basic role in the final tip aspect after aesthetic rhinoplasty.

METHODS

Primary aesthetic rhinoplasty was performed for 38 Caucasian patients. A septal refinement was used for patients requiring extra tip support and not requiring grafts.

RESULTS

The minimum follow-up period was 1 year. No supratip deformity was noted after surgery. The tip and midvault had adequate projection.

CONCLUSIONS

The described maneuver sustains the alar cartilage without sutures, preventing supratip deformity, sustaining soft tissues, and avoiding loss of tip projection.

Management of the long nose: review of techniques for nasal tip supporting structures

The long nose with a "plunging" tip is a deformity that involves an inferiorly rotated nasal tip, leading to an increase in the length of the nose. The anatomic basis of the long nose with a plunging tip may be divided into two types. Type 1 presents a normal alar-cartilage complex inferiorly displaced by a long nasal septum and long upper lateral cartilages. Type 2 is caused by a dislocation of the alar cartilages downward from the aponeurotic attachments to the septal angle. During the study period, the authors identified 60 patients with long noses and plunging tips. For 22 patients with type 1 long noses, the high septal incision technique was used in 12 cases and the step technique in 10 cases. The invagination procedure alone was used for 22 of 38 patients with type 2 plunging noses. Also, an extension graft with the invagination procedure was used for 6 patients, and a columellar strut graft was used for 10 patients. A high septal incision increased tip rotation without significantly changing the amount of tip projection. However, the step procedure, the invagination technique alone, septal extension graft with the invagination technique, and columellar strut grafts increased nasal tip rotation and projection. During the study period, 38 patients were identified as having a smiling deformity, which was improved using the authors' modification procedure. On the basis of the results, the authors recommend that the appropriate treatment for each patient with a long nose and a plunging tip must be determined by preoperative and intraoperative examination findings with the patient at rest and while smiling.