Search

Background Three-dimensional surface imaging is established in many disciplines for objective facial acquisition regarding anthropometry. Former studies addressed the validation of landmark-based measurements for single race. In order to distinguish racial difference, the reproducibility of the landmark measurements must first be validated. Objectives Our purpose is to validate the reproducibility of 46 facial soft-tissue landmarks on x, y, z axes to prove their reliability as 3D reference points. Methods The study included 80 European Caucasian and 80 Chinese volunteers. Standardized 3D surface imaging was performed using Vectra 3D system. Two raters identified and defined 46 landmarks (138 coordinates), then repeatedly 3D-imaged volunteers' facial region in separate sessions. Coordinates' reproducibility of landmarks is divided into three categories (< 0.5 mm, < 1 mm, and >1 mm) for intra- and inter-rater reproducibility assessments. Results Coordinates' reproducibility of 160 samples was distributed as follows: Intra-rater: < 0.5 mm (45%), < 1 mm (42%), >1 mm (13%); inter-rater: < 0.5 mm (31.2%), < 1 mm (42%), > 1 mm (26.8%). The reproducibility of landmarks in nasal tip region differs slightly between Caucasians and Asians. Compared to females, males typically have higher landmark reproducibility in lip and chin region. However, there were no differences in the reproducibility ranking of landmarks by gender. Conclusion The majority of the 46 landmarks in the 3D plane are reproducible to 1 mm, which is clinically acceptable. All selected landmarks showed strong consistency across race and gender, suggesting their potential use as reference points in prospective clinical practice. Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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. 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). 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. Adding of SEG to TIG may be an effective technique to create and maintain a stable rotation comparing to TIG independently. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

For East Asians, rhinoplasty procedures are predominantly focused on reconstructing a well-defined nasal tip. In this study, the authors present a new graft design for the columellar strut that is similar to the shape of a comma mark. As one integrated piece, the graft undertakes the roles of providing solid support for the tip, modifying different angles, as well as relationships between the tip and columella. One hundred and sixty-five female patients, ranging in age from 18 to 42 years (average 27.1 years), received augmentation rhinoplasty surgery over the past 4 years with an average postoperative follow-up of 12 months. Among these patients, 78 of them were primary cases and others were secondary or more. The cartilaginous framework was reconstructed based on comma strut with other grafts including spreaders and dorsal onlay grafts. Patients’ own evaluations on the overall improvements of the nose rendered high satisfaction rate. During the long-term follow-up, 8 cases presented asymmetrical nostrils with slightly deviated columella; minor revision surgeries were performed. Another 3 cases presented dorsal graft warping and were also corrected. No other major complications were encountered. The comma strut provides a reliable support for the nasal tip; its dual curved structure plays the instrumental role in defining the lobular-columellar angle as well as modifying the supratip break. This graft design offers good control of tip and columella; as a result, consistent, reproducible results can be achieved. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Of the first nasal tip modeling procedures performed, the Anderson tripod concept is the most well known, and many anatomy-related studies have analyzed the components involved in tip surgery. The main goals of nasal tip surgery are to stabilize the tip complex, which largely affects the shape, projection and rotation of the nasal tip. The present study describes a new, original method, the double columellar strut and its main advantages compared to conventional techniques used for structural rhinoplasty. The study involved 642 patients (496 women and 146 men, with an average age of 38.67 years) who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2018 by two operators. The patients were re-examined to evaluate the outcomes at least 1 year after surgery, and long-term results (15 years) were recorded for the oldest patients in regard to esthetics (projection, shape, rotation) and breathing function. Of the 642 patients, 34 required a surgical revision for minor defects of the tip due to asymmetry, and the natural appearance after the first surgery was not affected. For the primary rhinoplasties, there were no breathing disorders that required revision surgery due to systematic restoration or preservation of the middle third. The double columellar strut could be performed in the same conditions that the others conventional structural grafts. As a polyvalent alternative, it can be used with closed or open approaches and involves the use of only a limited amount of cartilaginous material. This anatomical approach yields natural results, acting as a foundation for controlling the shape, projection and rotation of the nasal tip. In addition, with or without complementary techniques such as the “tongue-in-groove” technique or tip grafts, the double columellar strut can be considered a “multifunction pocket knife” for tip surgery. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The plunging nasal tip is a challenging condition because, although it is predominantly a dynamic deformity which occurs during smiling, it also indicates a structural problem. When a person smiles, the paired depressor septi nasi muscles pull the tip caudally at the same time as the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscles pull the alar base and lateral lip cephalically. This movement causes straightening of the alar rim. Even though surgical rhinoplasty is the gold standard to restore nasal appearance, the procedure may fail to treat the dynamic cause of the drooping tip. This article outlines the anatomical concepts that lead to a drooping tip and presents a technique that can treat both the dynamic and structural causes of the drooping tip using hyaluronic acid filler. Cases are also presented that illustrate these concepts. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The tripod theory explains the dynamics of the nasal tip, where surgery is difficult because of anatomic variations and pathologies and the various surgical possibilities. Abnormalities or weaknesses of the lateral crura can result in concavity in ala or alar collapse and cause aesthetic and functional impairments of the nose. Several tip plasty techniques and lateral crura modifications are used in rhinoplasty. To describe the vertical alar folding (VAF) technique for making modifications in the lateral crura (LC) and rotation of the tip. Included in the study were 83 patients (59 women, 24 men) undergoing rhinoplasty using VAF with the senior author as surgeon between 2013 and 2018. The mean age was 26.3 years (range 18–47). Mean postoperative follow-up period was 26.7 months (range 12–64). Patients who completed the 1-year postoperative period completed the rhinoplasty outcome evaluation (ROE) questionnaire. Outcome measures were performed at examinations, and preoperative and postoperative photographs of the patients were analyzed. In the span of 5 years, no revision surgery was required for technique-specific reasons. In patients who had a droopy or asymmetric tip or long and concave lateral crura, we saw remarkable functional and aesthetic improvements with VAF. According to the ROE questionnaire, 90.3% (75 out of 83) of the patients were content with the aesthetic and functional results. VAF is a useful and effective method for modifying the LC and tip of the nose. VAF allowed for controlling the rotation and projection of the tip, changing the length of the lateral crus and nose with durability and smooth, symmetric contours, and correcting concavity of a lateral crus for better functioning and aesthetics. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

A good understanding of nasal tip support mechanisms is essential for achieving successful and functional rhinoplasty results. The loss of nasal tip support resulting from different maneuvers adopted during rhinoplasty and how this loss is affected by reconstructive applications should be known. This study evaluated and compared changes in nasal tip support perioperatively after different techniques were used during septorhinoplasty.Patients who underwent primary open rhinoplasty between January 2018 and March 2018 in a tertiary medical center were included in this prospective blind case series. Nasal tip resistance measurements were taken after perioperative maneuvers by creating enough force to achieve 1 mm, 2 mm and 3 mm of displacement at the tip region. Measurements were obtained during six different stages using a Newton meter: preoperatively, after caudal septal resection, after skin flap elevation, after the columellar strut or tongue-in-groove procedure, after tip suturing and postoperatively. Our hypothesis was that during septorhinoplasty, each maneuver used changes the tip support intraoperatively. The predictor variables were the different rhinoplasty techniques used. The outcome variable was nasal tip resistance to compression intraoperatively and immediate postoperatively. Appropriate statistics were computed, and a p 0.05 value was considered significant.Ten of the 15 patients were female, and 5 were male. The patient age ranged from 19 to 40 (mean 24.8 ± 4.9). The tongue-in-groove technique was applied in 5 of the patients, while columellar strut grafting was performed in 10. The application of columellar strut grafting did not create a significant increase in nasal tip support (p 0.05). An increase in nasal tip support was observed at each stage (85%, 53%, 35%) after application of the tongue-in-groove technique (p 0.05).A novel and reproducible technique for digitally evaluating manual force is presented for determining changes in nasal tip support with different maneuvers applied in living patients undergoing rhinoplasty. No significant difference was noted between the preoperative and postoperative measurements for columellar strut grafting. The tongue-in-groove technique is an important maneuver that has a significant effect on nasal tip support. According to our data, the interdomal and intercrural ligaments, the medial crus-septum connections and the connections between alar cartilage and overlying skin and muscle tissue are important structures for tip support.This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

To introduce an innovative refinement, the “double V cutting folded derotation graft” (DVCFD graft), which is a method for nasal tip lengthening in aesthetic rhinoplasty with strong holding force and efficient cartilage use. A retrospective study was conducted from January 2018 to July 2019 with 101 patients, including 11 males and 90 females with an average age of 36.87 ± 10.12 years, at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital; the patients received classic derotation grafts (n = 49, 17 of them were one layer and 32 of them were two layers) and DVCFD grafts (n = 52) for cosmetic tip plasty. The tip projection, columella labial angle and nasolabial angle were measured through clinical photography at three different times (T0: pre-operation, T1: two weeks post-operation and T2: five months post-operation). The differences between the original derotation graft and the DVCFD graft were identified using paired-t and independent-t tests. The final relapse ratios of the classic derotation graft and DVCFD graft were 36.78% versus 36.92% for tip projection, 40.65% versus 38.58% for columella labial angle and 45.00% versus 47.76% for nasal labial angle, respectively. The P values of the independent-t tests were 0.991, 0.564 and 0.439, respectively. Both the classic derotation graft and DVCFD graft possess similar stability in tip plasty. The novel modification of the DVCFD graft has more efficient cartilage usage and is a feasible and safe surgical option for patients with limited harvestable cartilage for tip lengthening. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The columellar strut graft is one of the most commonly used invisible grafts in tip plasty techniques for nasal tip projection. However, the columellar strut graft induces cephalic rotation of the dome with nasal tip projection. This is an effective change in Western people with a long nose; however, this change should be avoided in Asians who have a relatively short nose and visible nostrils. We designed a more convenient and effective technique using a rein-shaped columellar strut graft that can prevent cephalic rotation of the dome. A total of 32 patients underwent surgery with a rein-shaped columellar strut graft with a septal cartilage. The projection and location of the nasal tip, nasal length, and nasolabial angle were measured after taking a photograph of the lateral view, and the preoperative and postoperative results were compared. There were statistically significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative values of the nasal tip projection ratio and nasal tip location ratio. There were no revision surgeries and no direct complications associated with the use of the columellar strut graft. We performed tip plasty with a modified columellar strut graft—the rein-shaped columellar strut graft. In most cases of using this method, the tip projection was increased and the cephalic rotation of the tip was prevented. This surgical procedure can also be used for lengthening (rotating caudally) of the nose in some cases, as well as for the purpose of preventing the cephalic rotation of the tip. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Preoperative and intraoperative assessments are very important for surgeons to plan or regulate tip projection. But how to measure the tip projection is a difficult problem even with a ruler or on full-size pictures. In this paper, the author introduces a method to measure the nasal tip projection with a remodeled syringe.Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the table of contents or the online instructions to authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The age at which nasal tip support changes start to occur is unknown. Evaluation of nasal tip support is difficult, especially as the ideal nasal tip support pressure remains elusive. The aim of this study is to determine the nasal tip support pressure alterations relative to age and sex. The aim of this study is to determine the changers in resistance of the nasal tip support in relation to age and sex. This prospective clinical study was conducted between January and April 2019 at a tertiary health facility. Nasal tip resistances were measured in four different age-groups (20–29, 30–39, 40–64, and > 65 years) with a digital Newton meter. A total of 159 patients with a minimum of 36 patients per group were included in the study. Nasal tip resistance measurements were compared among nasal tip displacement distances of 2, 3, and 4 mm, focusing on age and sex. The nasal tip resistance of the 20–29 age-group was significantly higher at 2, 3, and 4 mm nasal tip displacement distances, when compared with the 30–39 and 40–64 age-groups, whereas compared to the > 65 years group, it was significantly higher at 3 and 4 mm nasal tip displacement distances (p

In rhinoplasty operations, concavity and convexity have a particular place in terms of aesthetic and functional problems. To fix the problems associated with concavity and convexity, several techniques were reported for straightening of the lower lateral cartilage (LLC). The scroll ligament and its associated tissues can be preserved, and a better nasal tip can be obtained after the surgery. The purpose of this research is to present a new, more comfortable and more practical technique to overcome the problems associated with LLC. The records of 190 patients who were operated on with this novel technique were assessed retrospectively. In the present “superior-based sliding flap” technique, the LLC remained thick and stable; therefore, a particular functional improvement was achieved. Additionally, the scroll ligament was preserved, so this technique prevented the accumulation of skin at the nose tip. Patients were evaluated using the “Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation” (ROE) 12 months after the surgery. The median patient age was 24.3 years. Among 190 patients, 23 were male (12.1%) and 167 were female (87.9%). All patients included in the study completed the ROE questionnaire. Patient satisfaction was excellent, registering at 95% of the included cases. In the assessment of nasal obstruction, it was found that the patients’ patency score increased to 8.8 from 6.2 (out of 10) after the 12-month follow-up (p

The authors of this study have developed a novel graft called the ‘The Joint Tip Graft’ which adds support to the lateral crus, camouflages the tip grafts, supports the facet and adds volume to the nasal tip as a single graft. The aim of this study was to define and introduce the tripod graft. Thirty patients who underwent primary rhinoplasty at a tertiary academic center were included. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups according to the grafts used: group 1: Joint tip graft was additionally used, and group 2: Joint tip graft was not used. All patients were photographed by a photographer who is familiar with medical photography. Preoperative and postoperative sixth month photographs were taken for analysis. The brightest point of the infratip lobule and the darkest point of the facets were selected and analyzed with computer software. The luminance ratio of facet to infratip lobule was calculated to overcome light and head position differences. Mean infratip luminance scores were 112.20 ± 5.72 and 109.73 ± 7.13 in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p > 0.05). Mean facet luminance scores were 101.33 ± 4.91 and 89.27 ± 5.11 in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p

Asian noses are mainly characterized by a low nasal dorsum, a short nose and an underprojected nasal tip due to underdeveloped (short and weak) alar cartilages. The goals of the surgery are to increase the tip projection, elongate the nose and augment the dorsum. In Asian noses the structural approach helps strengthen the weak cartilages and add definition to the nasal tip. There are various methods to increase tip projection and definition. Columellar strut, caudal septal extension graft, tip grafts and lateral crural grafts in order to elongate the upper legs of the nasal tip tripod can be used. The method described in this article seems a useful solution in Asian rhinoplasty patients who do not want to use rib cartilage. The "Skiff Graft" functions similar to caudal septal extension graft with its elongation and raise effect at the caudal septum. However in cases which need significant increase in tip projection and nose elongation, this method may be insufficient. In such cases, stronger structural grafts prepared from rib cartilage will give a better tip definition and more predictable outcome.

Among the greatest challenges in rhinoplasty are setting the nasal tip contour and projection, and avoiding excessive upward rotation of the nose. Many suture and graft fixation techniques have attempted to achieve this result but may still produce results lacking in refinement. This study aims to describe in detail a new approach to stabilize the nasal tip for a durable and more predictable result.Twenty-eight surgeries were performed by the author, following a standardized technique which included: a modified distal onlay dorsal graft, a modified columella strut, and bilateral caudal septal sliver grafts. Follow-ups were conducted with all patients for at least 365 days. Twelve patients had follow-ups ranging from 456 to 619 days.At the nasal tip there was no loss of projection or rotation. One patient had a traumatic nasal fracture and left the study. Two patients had unilateral alar retraction not related to the technique described. One patient with thin nasal skin was submitted to a surgical revision to thin the caudal septal extension grafts and improve the nasal airflow.The Multi-Lock System for rhinoplasty is a good option to assure nasal length as well as projection and rotation of the tip. Also, it seemed to decrease the dead space of the supra-tip area which avoided pollybeak deformity.This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Overprojection of the nasal tip is a common problem in aesthetic Caucasian and Mediterranean rhinoplasty patients. In these patients, shortening of the conjoined medial crura frequently plays an important part in deprojection of the nasal tip. The combination of vertical incision maneuvers of the medial crura and tongue-in-groove (TIG) allows the surgeon to achieve significant control over projection, rotation and shape of the nasal tip. In this article we present our graduated approach towards nasal tip deprojection in aesthetic Caucasian and Mediterranean rhinoplasty together with a statistical analysis of overall success. This retrospective study based on 22 consecutive Caucasian or Mediterranean patients who had aesthetic, open deprojection rhinoplasty combining TIG with either footplate resection or medial crural overlay by one surgeon between 2009 and 2011. Aesthetical success was determined by statistical analysis of change in subjective body image in relation to nasal appearance, scored on five aesthetic 5-point Likert Scale questions and a 10 cm visual analog scale. Change in projection was calculated using a modified Goode method, applied on standardized pre- and postoperative photographs which were also used to measure change in rotation. Subjective body image in relation to nasal appearance improved from 15.14 to 6.55 (p

Severe lateral crura concavity (LCC) can lead to an important deformity of the nasal tip and to external nasal valve insufficiency. The lower lateral crural reverse plasty represents a valuable technique for the correction of severe LCC, but often requires additional cartilage to gain more alar rim support. We describe a modified version of the reverse plasty, in which a polydioxanone plate is sutured as a strut at the dome junction to increase alar rim support. We report our experience with this technique in 10 women (age range 24–56 years). The procedure was performed in eight primary rhinoplasties and in two cases alone without rhinoplasty. All patients had aesthetic complaints, whereas three had obstructive symptoms. Eight patients had unilateral problems. A one-year follow-up was completed in 100 % of patients. There were no surgical complications and all patients had optimal short and long-term aesthetic and functional results. Acikel C (Aesthetic Plast Surg 36:862–865, 2012) The adjunctive use of a polydioxanone plate during lateral crural reverse plasty was feasible and led to satisfying functional and cosmetic long-term results in patients with severe LCC. This surgical maneuver appears reproducible and emerges as an alternative way of gaining stronger support during lateral crura reverse plasty while avoiding additional tissue. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Anterior septal height is an important determinant of nasal tip projection. Accordingly, the anterior septal extension technique has proven itself to be a powerful tool for achieving long-lasting nasal tip projection in rhinoplasty. However, anterior septal extension does not protect against postoperative loss of nasal tip rotation unless an additional suspension strategy is used. A tip-suspending transfixion suture is the authors’ strategy for supporting nasal tip rotation whenever an anterior septal extension technique is performed. Of 156 rhinoplasties performed by the authors between 2010 and 2012, a cohort of 22 droopy-tip rhinoplasties was extracted in which the described technique was used. The patients in this cohort were included in a retrospective nasal tip projection and rotation analysis. The nasolabial angle (NLA) and Goode ratio measurements were compared between preoperative, 3-week postoperative, and 1-year postoperative profile-view photographs. The NLA and the Goode ratio measurements were significantly higher in the 3-week postoperative group than in the preoperative group, indicating an effective gain in both tip projection and rotation. The NLA and the Goode ratio measurements did not differ statistically between the postoperative 3-week and postoperative 1-year groups, indicating long-term maintenance of nasal tip position. A tip-suspending transfixion suture is an easy method for securing nasal tip rotation when used in conjunction with an anterior septal extension. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The aim of this study was to compare the degree of nasal tip rigidity from different techniques for increasing nasal tip projection. Retrospective records of patients who had undergone rhinoplasty were reviewed at the tertiary referral center. 81 patients who had undergone suturing of the medial crura to the extension graft or to the long septum were selected. In group A, fixation was performed at the same level compared to before surgery. In group B, tip grafting was performed to gain 3 mm or more in projection after fixation as done in group A. In group C, the same tip projection was provided by advancing the medial crura on the caudal septum or extension graft. Patients were evaluated with a visual analog scale, based on the rigidity of the nasal tip (0 = very flexible, 10 = very rigid). When the preoperative and postoperative VAS scores of all groups were compared, postoperative scores were significantly higher than the preoperative scores (p

The delivery approach, though very appropriate for remodeling the tip of the nose, has been overlooked in recent years and has often been passed over for the open approach. One reason for this is the intercartilaginous incision used for the delivery approach, which may cause scarring at the nasal valve area, leading to postoperative functional obstruction of the nose. The delivery of the alar cartilages is another negative, as this maneuver will disrupt the collagen fibers that attach the upper lateral cartilages to the cephalic margin of the alar cartilages, leading to a weakening of the tip's support. We propose a modification to the traditional delivery approach by using a transcartilaginous instead of an intercartilaginous incision to prevent damage to the valve area. We also suggest taking advantage of the interference to the tip's support caused by the disruption of the collagen fibers of the scroll area. The purpose of this article is to describe this modification of the delivery approach and to emphasize the advantages that this controlled interference to the tip's support may have in selected cases.This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Recently, rhinoplasty techniques have advanced significantly and are frequently combined with columellar struts using conchal cartilage grafts to sufficiently reshape the nasal tip. For this reason, auricular keloids following harvesting of conchal cartilage grafts are expected to occur with greater frequency. The aim of this study was to share our experiences with auricular keloids and to suggest possible risk factors.We conducted a retrospective review of patients with pathologically confirmed auricular keloids that were surgically excised with primary closure after conchal cartilage grafts were harvested. Starting between days 21 and 28 postoperatively, patients were instructed to use magnets for approximately 12 h a day for 6 months until adjuvant pressure therapy was completed. Recurrence after treatment was recorded. In all patients, a follow-up period of 18 months was required.Auricular keloids were successfully treated in 93.3 % of the cases and 6.7 % of the cases had recurrence. The postoperative course was uneventful without exception. There was a male predominance of auricular keloids after conchal cartilage graft harvesting. In addition, a high growth rate as a result of the short duration of the keloid before treatment was seen.Adjuvant pressure therapy using magnets is useful for treating auricular keloids following conchal cartilage graft harvesting. In addition, surgeons should be careful when performing conchal cartilage harvest to avoid needless injury to the adjacent skin flap.This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The maintenance of desired tip projection and rotation is an important goal in rhinoplasty. In this study, the effects of the columellar strut graft and septocolumellar sutures were evaluated in a follow-up period of 1 year. In half of 44 patients, nasal tip was constructed with basic tip maneuvers and two septocolumellar sutures (Group-1, Suture Group), whereas in the remaining 22 patients, a columellar strut graft was added for tip support (Group-2, Suture + Graft Group). Standardized right profile images were taken preoperatively, 1 month postoperatively and 1 year postoperatively. Nasal tip projection was evaluated using Goode’s method. For the evaluation of tip rotation, the nasolabial angle was measured. The results were statistically compared, and a p value lower than 0.05 was considered as significant. Between the postoperative first month to first year, the loss of tip projection was 3.8% in Group-1 and 3.5% in Group-2 which was statistically insignificant (p value 0.942). The loss of tip rotation was found as 4.6° (4.1%) in Group-1 and 4.6° (4.0%) in Group-2 which was also statistically insignificant (p value 0.979). Considering the results of the study, in most of the primary cases, two septocolumellar sutures in conjunction with basic tip maneuvers are sufficient for positioning and stabilizing of the nasal tip, and a short and floating columellar strut graft does not have any affect in maintenance of the desired nasal tip rotation and projection. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the A3 online Instructions to Authors. www.springer.com/00266 .

A case of severe alar retraction and underprojected nasal tip due to hypoplastic lateral crura was successfully treated using a columellar strut graft, lateral crus replacement graft, and lateral crus caudalization graft and Medpor implant. Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors at www.springer.com/00266.

Excessive concavities of the lower lateral crura can lead to heavy aesthetic disfigurement of the nasal tip and to insufficiencies of the external nasal valve. This study reviewed experience with the lower lateral crural reverse plasty technique that uses the existing cartilage to create the desired lower lateral cartilage contour and provides sufficient alar rim support. A retrospective review was conducted with a follow-up period ranging from 9 to 33 months. The technique was applied in primary (n = 13) and secondary (n = 3) open rhinoplasties to correct severe concavities of the lower lateral cartilages. Two case examples and intraoperative photographs are presented to illustrate the technique and its results. The lower lateral crural reverse plasty proved its applicability for the functional and aesthetical correction of severe lower lateral crura concavities. By dissecting the distorted lateral crus, turning it around, and suturing it back in place, surgeons can “reconstruct” a new lateral crus with existing cartilage. No additional cartilage is needed, and no harvesting at a different location needs to be performed. After rhinoplasty, no alar rim instabilities were observed. In three cases, even preexisting instabilities were corrected. Aesthetically enduring results were observed, and no overcorrection or alar retraction was seen. With the lower lateral crural reverse plasty, severe concavities of the lower lateral crura can be corrected. This technique is a useful and reproducible procedure, performed without additional tissue to achieve functionally and aesthetically satisfying and enduring results.

In this article the onlay folded flap (OFF) is introduced as a new technique for reshaping, refining, supporting, and projecting the nasal tip by remodeling the cephalic portions of the lateral crura rather than canceling them. The surgical technique and the long-term outcomes are described. The indications, contraindications, advantages, and disadvantages are defined.Forty patients were operated on for hypoprojected nasal tips. They had been followed for from 6 to 35 months (average = 13 months). None of the patients had thin skin, and none of them had previously undergone a rhinoplasty. Two symmetric lateral flaps are taken from the cephalic portions of the lateral crura and attached to the domal segments. The flaps' internal edges are carefully sutured together to form one flap. This is then rotated anteriorly over the original domes and fixed to them, before its distal portion is turned posteriorly over the first layer and fixed to it. The nasal tip projection was calculated for all patients before and 6 months after surgery using a personal method as a means of evaluating the gain in nasal tip projection in the postoperative period.Revision was necessary in only one patient to fix an unpleasant columellar scar. The average nasal tip projection gain 6 months after surgery was approximately 4 mm (range = 3-5 mm). The nasal tips were fine and stable in all patients.The OFF technique is recommended in primary rhinoplasty for reshaping, refining, and supporting the nasal tip and for increasing nasal tip projection (from 3 to 5 mm maximum) but only for people with normal or thick skin. It has many advantages and good postoperative results.

Tip surgery, the most important part of the rhinoplasty procedure, has entered a new era in the past few decades. Various treatment protocols have been attempted. To date, however, opinions on the management of the Asian tip have not been solidified. To generalize and provide appropriate guidelines for the treatment of typical Asian tips, an English literature search from 1977 to March 2007 was conducted. Finally, a total of 26 papers were selected for review. The full text of each paper was read carefully, and data were extracted. Then all extracted information was imported into Microsoft Excel. Nine articles treating 11 groups of patients described the suitable techniques for Asian nasal tips, with 81.8% of the groups advocating that the protocol include a grafting technique, 64% reporting use of the grafting technique alone, and 9% applying cartilage reduction and a suturing technique. Of the 11 (18%) groups, 2 attempted more than one technique. Because of the Asian nasal tip's innate qualities, success with nasal tip plasty for Asians depends on the combined application of appropriate suturing, grafting, and defatting, with grafting techniques contributing the most.

For defining the shape and projection of the nasal tip, the bilateral and symmetric batten-type septal extension grafts proposed by Byrd and colleagues have drawbacks. The main problems are stiffness of the nasal tip and thickening of the septum in the nasal valve area.Since 1998, unilateral single-batten grafts, and more frequently, bilateral asymmetric batten grafts as compared with Byrd's bilateral symmetric application, have been used for 72 patients in our facility.At the 6-month postoperative follow-up assessment, tip projection was found to be satisfactory in 61 patients. Less than desired projection occurred in three cases and overprojection in two cases. Nasal lobule deviation was evident in one patient. The loss of the columellar break point was evident in five cases.Unilateral or asymmetric bilateral batten grafts facilitate adjustment of the nasal tip intraoperatively. This technique results in a more pliable nasal tip in the horizontal plane. Construction of a three-layered cartilage in the nasal valve area is not needed, and the nasal airway is preserved. With this modification, a reliable and predictable nasal tip location is obtained with a minimum of graft usage.

The past two decades have ushered in a new era of nasal tip surgery. The new philosophy focuses on preserving and reorienting nasal tip structures. Modern suture techniques can give predictable results because of more precise suture placement. Only a few reports, however, have objectively evaluated the suture techniques for Asians. Accordingly, the authors aimed to assess the efficacy of the tip suture technique through projection and rotation analysis. We focused on transdomal sutures because they involve one of the most popular suture techniques. Preoperative and postoperative photographs of 85 patients who underwent rhinoplasty at Inha University Hospital between June 2002 and June 2004 were analyzed. The patients were categorized into four groups according to the techniques used. Tip projection was measured by the modified Heuzinger's method and tip rotation by the nasolabial angle. The pre- and postoperative indexes were compared within each group and among the four groups. Paired and unpaired t tests were used for statistical analysis. When the pre- and postoperative indexes were compared within each group, only the combined technique (transdomal suture with onlay graft) showed significant tip projection improvement. All tip surgeries resulted in insignificant tip rotation increase. Comparison among the four groups showed no significant difference based on the type of tip surgery performed. The suture technique has many advantages, although it has some limitations with Asian noses, especially if used alone. Therefore, we recommend using the suture technique in combination with other tip surgical procedures, such as onlay grafts, to achieve significant tip projection.

Management of nasal tip projection and support for positioning of the tip represent an important part of rhinoplasty operations that must be handled properly for a final satisfying result. Manipulation of the nasal tip is complex and variable. Plastic surgeons use many techniques to achieve this goal.The authors propose that the caudal septal advancement technique be used to manipulate the positioning of the nasal tip, especially in cases of an underprojected tip and those requiring tip support. The authors prepare a rectangular septal cartilage, which after advancement carries the nasal tip to the desired position.This technique is easy to use, and the results are dependable. All the patients who underwent surgery with this technique were satisfied with the result.The caudal septal advancement technique presents another good and reliable alternative for managing nasal tip projection and support.

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.

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.