title: Rhinoplasty: a simplified, three-stitch, open tip suture technique. Part I: primary rhinoplasty.
abstract: Tip suture techniques offer a reliable and dramatic method of tip modification without needing to interrupt the alar rim strip or add tip grafts. The present simplified three-stitch technique consists of the following: (1) a strut suture to fix the columella strut between the crura, (2) bilateral domal creation sutures to create tip definition, and (3) a domal equalization suture to narrow and align the domes. If required, columella septal sutures can be added; either a dorsal rotational suture or a transfixion projection suture can be used. This simplified method represents a refinement based on more than 13 years of experience with tip suture techniques. It does not require a complex operative sequence or specialized sutures. Primary indications are moderate tip deformities of inadequate definition and excessive width and certain specific tip deformities, including the parenthesis tip and nostril/tip disproportion. The primary contraindications are for patients with minor tip deformities that are best done through a closed approach and those with severe tip deformities requiring an open structure graft. The technique is simple, efficacious, and easily learned.
authors: Division of Plastic Surgery, the University of California at Irvine, Newport Beach, USA.
authors: R K
authors: RK
authors: Daniel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques