Lateral Overlay Sliding Transposition (LOST): A Novel Surgical Technique in Patients with Cephalic Malposition and Alar Retraction.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to demonstrate a new surgical technique that can be applied in patients with cephalic malposition and patients with alar retraction. METHODS: In this technique, a cartilage incision is made between the upper 2/3 and lower 1/3 close to the caudal edge and parallel to the cephalic edge of the lateral crus. Following this incision, the cephalic lateral crus and middle crus are meticulously dissected away from the underlying vestibular skin. The prepared flap is transposed over the intact caudal part of the lateral crus and secured in position. RESULTS: The average age of the patients included in the study was 24 years. The mean follow-up period was nine months, ranging from 6 to 12 months. No complications were observed following the application of the technique. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Lateral overlay sliding transposition as a novel surgical technique has been demonstrated in patients presenting with cephalic malposition, mild to moderate alar retraction, and alar irregularity. 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 .

"Managing the Severe Septal Deviation Using Dorsal Preservation".

Severe septal deviations are a constant challenge for rhinosurgeons. As the septum is the most important pillar of the nasal framework, septal deformities require correction to insure a straight nose. The septum should be on the midline without any tension to ensure a correct healing of the external nasal pyramid. In certain cases, the association of a correct septoplasty and dorsal preservation allows the treatment of the crooked nose and at the same time gives natural results with rapid postoperative recovery. The aim of this article was to underline the versatility of the dorsal preservation technique for the correction of severe septal deviation.

Anatomy of the nasal latero-lateral cartilage articulation: a micro-MRI study in human specimens.

PURPOSE: To study the anatomy of the latero-lateral joint (LLJ) between the upper lateral (ULC) and lower lateral (LLC) crus of the nasal cartilages, usually described as a scroll articulation. METHODOLOGY: Six nasal pyramids were taken in monobloc from fresh cadavers and imaged on micro-MRI with 0.4 mm slice thickness. Images were jointly interpreted by two head and neck radiologists and one surgeon. The junction between the ULC and LLC, the presence of ligaments and of sesamoid or accessory cartilages were assessed. RESULTS: Eight LLJs could be analyzed, with four types of junctions: hook-shaped cephalic border of the LLC turned towards the nasal fossa and linear caudal border of the ULC (n = 3), hook-shaped caudal border of the ULC and linear cephalic border of the LLC lateral crus (n = 1), hook-shaped border of both cartilaginous edges with clinging (n = 1) (scroll articulation) or without clinging (n = 3). No ligament or sesamoid cartilage was found, but posterior accessory cartilages were seen in 75% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The classical scroll articulation of the LLJ has been observed in only 1/8 cases on micro-MRI images. The anatomy of the LLJ could explain the surgical difficulty in raising the tip of the nose in some patients and not in others.

Double Layer Lateral Crural Perichondrial Flap for Coverage and Stabilization of Tip Graft.

BACKGROUND: Tip plasty is the most important step of rhinoplasty. To achieve symmetrical cartilages with ideal tip rotation, projection and supratip break many techniques were defined. Besides suture techniques, tip grafts still maintain their importance and widely used among surgeons. However, graft visibility and distortion are the main drawbacks of this technique. In this study double-layered lateral crural perichondrial flap technique was introduced to prevent graft visibility and distortion as a novel technique. METHODS: A total of 16 patients who underwent rhinoplasty with this novel technique were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patient satisfaction was assessed with Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation Questionnaire (ROE-Q). Graft visibility and asymmetry of tip defining point as an indicator of graft distortion were evaluated by two independent Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgeons. Pre and postoperative photographs were taken and used for evaluation. A three-point Likert scale was used for assessment. Cohen's Kappa statistic and percent agreement test were used to test inter-rater reliability RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 15 months (ranging between 12 and 19 months). According to the ROE-Q score, the mean total preoperative score was 6,25 and the mean total postoperative score was 18,06 (p<0,05). No or minimal evident graft visibility and asymmetry of tip defining point was observed in 12 patients and 10 patients, respectively. Mild evident graft visibility was observed in only 1 patient with thin skin. Severe evident graft visibility or asymmetry of tip defining point was not observed in none of the patients. CONCLUSION: The double-layer crural perichondrial flap was an effective and sufficient method for preventing graft visibility and graft distortion. Features like easy and fast flap elevation, no additional comorbidity, being autologous tissue and sufficient flap length and thickness make this technique valuable and useful. 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 .

Anthropometric Overview of Lower Alar Cartilage: An Indian Perspective.

The anatomy of the lower lateral cartilage varies according to the ethnicity of the patient. Considering that the manipulation of the lower lateral cartilage has become more prevalent in Indian rhinoplasties, understanding the comprehensive anatomy is of utmost importance. The aim of this descriptive study was to evaluate the anthropometric and morphological variations of the lower lateral cartilage in Indian noses and to compare this data from studies of various ethnic groups. Seventy lower lateral cartilages of thirty-five patients of Indian origin who underwent primary open rhinoplasty were dissected and assessed intraoperatively. There was no previous history of nasal trauma. The medial, middle and lateral distances from the caudal border of the alar cartilage to the alar rim were measured. Morphology of the cartilage was assessed. The results were analysed and comparison were made between the genders and various ethnic groups. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in terms of length, width, distance from the alar rim, compared to the other study. Convex type (56%) of lateral crura was most commonly seen, with no significant gender difference. This study highlights the anatomical differences among various ethnic groups and stresses the need to be aware of the complexities of the anatomical aspect of the cartilage, to avoid complications and provide acceptable aesthetic result to the patient.

Surface Aesthetics and Analysis.

Surface aesthetics of an attractive nose result from certain lines, shadows, and highlights with specific proportions and breakpoints. Analysis emphasizes geometric polygons as aesthetic subunits. Evaluation of the complete nasal surface aesthetics is achieved using geometric polygons to define the existing deformity and aesthetic goals. The relationship between the dome triangles, interdomal triangle, facet polygons, and infralobular polygon are integrated to form the "diamond shape" light reflection on the nasal tip. The principles of geometric polygons allow the surgeon to analyze the deformities of the nose, define an operative plan to achieve specific goals, and select the appropriate operative technique.

The sandwiched lateral crural reinforcement graft: a novel technique for lateral crus reinforcement in rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Misshapen or weak lateral crura can cause an inward collapse of the lateral crus observed on deep inspiration. The lateral crural strut graft is a popular technique for reinforcing lateral crura. Failure to stabilize the graft properly can, however, result in graft displacement postoperatively and an accompanying aesthetic deformity. OBJECTIVES: The authors discuss lateral crus reinforcement with the sandwiched lateral crural reinforcement (SLCR) graft. METHODS: An SLCR graft was placed in 30 nonconsecutive primary open-approach rhinoplasty procedures by the senior author (I.K.) between February 2010 and May 2012. Cephalic excess of the lateral crura was incised and placed under the lateral crura; the lateral crural strut grafts were placed between the 2 cartilages, and the cephalic edges of both the superior and inferior lateral crura segments were sutured together. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients, there were 5 men and 25 women ranging in age from 22 to 45 years (median, 35 years). Half (50%) of the patients received the SLCR graft for external valve collapse; in 30% of the patients, it was placed to support the lateral crura after correcting cephalic malpositioning; and 20% had an SLCR graft placed for lateral crural reinforcement after deformity secondary to dome-shaping sutures. No graft displacement or tip disfigurement was observed in the follow-up period (mean, 24 months). CONCLUSIONS: The SLCR graft technique represents a powerful tool for reinforcing lateral crura without discarding the cephalic portion of the cartilage, thus securing a stable graft pocket while minimizing any postoperative structural dislocation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Nasal bone grafts from the removed hump used as overlay grafts to camouflage concave lateral crura.

Alar cartilage consists of a medial crus, middle crus and lateral crus. The lateral crus is an important aesthetic and functional structure of the nose. A 32-year-old male patient with concave lateral crura was operated by the authors. An open rhinoplasty with a dorsal approach to the septum is preferred. The nasal bones harvested from the hump, which is an autogenous graft trimmed and sutured on both concave lateral crura as an overlay camouflage grafts. Satisfactory result was achieved.

Supratip-plasty: a completely cartilaginous tip complex to maintain nasal tip width.

BACKGROUND: Following primary rhinoplasty, the nasal tip may become wider on front view, possibly due to splaying of the lateral crura. OBJECTIVES: The authors describe a technique, the "supratip-plasty," to create an all-cartilaginous supratip that resists splaying and postoperative broadening of the nasal tip complex. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive primary rhinoplasty patients (10 women; 3 men) with broad nasal tips received a supratip-plasty (which preserved the cephalic part of the lateral crus, reducing it in size and securing it to the dorsal septum, resulting in a completely cartilaginous tip framework) and were followed for 11 to 17 months. Since the frontal tip width (TW) is relative to the frontal nasal base width (NBW), the TW/NBW ratio was contrasted to that of 19 unoperated aesthetically pleasing nasal tips. RESULTS: Of the 13 cases, all but 1 were considered to have a good result. The preoperative mean TW/NBW ratio was 0.68. The postoperative mean was 0.53, compared with 0.48 in the unoperated aesthetic tip group. No tip revisions were necessary; however, 2 patients did require revisionary surgery for nontip problems. CONCLUSIONS: Preserving a cephalic island of lateral crus, trimming it to fit the new supratip contour following suture tip-plasty, and securing it to the septum provides a completely cartilaginous nasal tip framework that tends not to widen postoperatively.