title: The stairstep graft: an alternative technique in nasal valve surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The stairstep graft is a novel method to modify the lateral anchoring point of lateral grafts for nasal valve correction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight consecutive patients with a diagnosis of nasal valve collapse were included in the study. The novel method of stairstep grafts was performed to reinforce the lateral crus and to widen the nasal valve. Postoperative evaluations were performed by using questionnaires and photographs. After a minimum follow-up of 3 months, all patients reported an improvement of nasal airway postoperatively. Persistent normalization of the preoperatively narrow alar base was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The stairstep graft introduces a new concept in nasal valve surgery by lateralization of the lateral anchoring point for the alar strut graft (or other lateral functional grafts). The concept seems logical, enhances an existing technique, and may be performed through a minimally invasive approach, and the potential for untoward effects seems to be low.
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Holger G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Gassner
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Payam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Maneschi
authors.affiliation: Division of Facial Plastic Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Haubner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002356:Cartilage / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000601:surgery*; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires