title: The percutaneous columellar strut.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Understanding tip support mechanisms is essential for nasal surgery, especially for preservation or augmentation of tip projection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Support of the nasal tip often is improved by the use of struts placed between the medial crura. The percutaneous columellar strut is a technique that provides additional tip support during septoplasty and closed rhinoplasty. The strut is placed via a small vertical columellar incision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The advantage of easy and simple insertion outweighs the minor potential disadvantage of a small, visible vertical columellar scar. It is useful in addressing tip ptosis when trauma, surgery, or aging has reduced the contribution of the septum to tip support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A detailed description of the percutaneous columellar strut technique and results of its application are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Naval Medical Center San Diego, 34520 Bob Wilson Drive, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92134-2200, USA.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Bloom
authors.forename: Craig L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cupp
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*