title: The alar-spanning suture: a useful tool in rhinoplasty to refine the nasal tip.
abstract: The alar-spanning suture is a surgical technique used by an experienced rhinoplastic surgeon to address certain nasal tip deformities. Wide nasal tip deformities with strong, convex lower lateral cartilages are best indicated for treatment with this technique. The alar-spanning suture can improve lateral crural position and eliminate dead space by refining and narrowing the supratip, often without requiring extensive dissection or additional strut grafting. We use operative photographs and an intraoperative video to demonstrate the alar-spanning suture technique, which is a useful addition to the armamentarium of any rhinoplastic surgeon.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 702 Barnhill Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
authors: Stephen W
authors: SW
authors: Perkins
authors: Ahmed S
authors: AS
authors: Sufyan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010781:Photography; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques