Interdomal fat pad: an important anatomical structure in rhinoplasty.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the interdomal fat pad, an important anatomical structure that, to our knowledge, has not been reported in the rhinoplasty literature.


METHODS
Anatomical observations were made during a consecutive series of external rhinoplasties, and the existence of the interdomal fat pad was documented in patients with noses of varying nasal skin thicknesses.


METHODS
Private facial plastic surgery practice.


METHODS
One hundred consecutive white patients undergoing external rhinoplasty were analyzed. Thirty-seven patients were undergoing secondary rhinoplasty and were excluded. Sixty-three patients undergoing primary rhinoplasty were enrolled into the study.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
The nasal skin type of each patient was subjectively determined preoperatively to be thin, average, or thick. The presence or absence of a distinct fat pad between the domes of the lower lateral cartilages was observed and recorded in each group of patients.


RESULTS
Among the 63 patients studied, 22 had thick skin; 31, average skin; and 10, thin skin. Well-defined interdomal fat pads were noted in 12 patients with thick skin, 13 patients with average skin, and 2 patients with thin skin.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a distinct anatomical structure that we refer to as the interdomal fat pad that exists in noses of all skin types. The awareness of this structure should encourage a careful and direct examination of the undersurface of nasal tip skin. An unrecognized, extensive fat pad may interfere with tip narrowing and refinement. It may be the cause of persistent postrhinoplasty supratip fullness and excessive tip width. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2000;2:260-263
Sun
G K
GK
Department of Otolarynology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Southern California, los Angeles, USA.
Lee
D S
DS
Glasgold
A I
AI
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010808:Physical Examination; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*