title: The use of short spreader grafts in rhinoplasty for patients with thick nasal skin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thick nasal skin presents a challenge in rhinoplasty. Conventional spreader grafts in patients with thick nasal skin may result in an undesirable widening of the lower half of the nose where the nasal skin is thick. The use of short spreader grafts was evaluated in patients with thick nasal skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this study, 32 patients underwent closed rhinoplasty in which short spreader grafts were used. The spreader graft was 1 to 2 cm long and extended only to the transition of thin and thick nasal skin. The patients were followed for more than 1 year postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aesthetic improvement was observed in all the patients. Nasal airway patency was improved or maintained in 94 % of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short spreader grafts effectively restore or maintain the internal nasal valve area after dorsal hump reduction while allowing for more aggressive narrowing of the lower part of the nose where nasal skin is thick.
  
  
  METHODS
  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 .
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1808 Verdugo Boulevard, Suite 303, Glendale, CA 92108, USA. vladgrigor@gmail.com
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grigoryants
authors.forename: Arpa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baroni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult