Use of Septal Extension Grafts in Nasal Tip Plasty

Park, Chan Hum; Lee, Su Ok; Hong, Seok Joong

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Nasal tip plasty is one of the most important and difficult part of rhinoplasty. Controlling the projection, shape and rotation of nasal tip is a difficult procedure especially in Asians who have a thick skin and weak cartilages. The purpose of our study is to investigate the usefulness of septal extension graft (SEG) in controlling the tip shape. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We retrospectively studied 20 patients who underwent rhinoplasty including tip surgery with SEG. Five patients were operated by transcolumellar open approach and 15 patients by intranasal approach. Columellar strut was used together with SEG in all patients to control the tip projection. The result of surgery was evaluated by comparing nasal measurements on photographs taken preoperatively and postoperatively. Doctor's and patient's satisfaction were investigated after minimal 6 months later using visual analogue scale. All results were statistically tested. RESULTS: The increment of tip projection was 10% in males and 5% in females and the increment of nasolabial angle were 4.4degrees in males and 8.1degrees in females. Most of the patients showed prominent tip projection and good cosmetic results. However, some patients complained indurations of upper caudal septum. CONCLUSION: SEGs are a reliable method of controlling tip projection and rotation in patients who need prominent tip projection.