title: The Soft Triangle: An Often Neglected Area in Rhinoplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to focus on one of the lesser mentioned topics in discussions of aesthetic nose operations, the soft triangle. In addition to outlining the characteristics of the area, the various complications specific to the soft triangle are discussed along with methods and techniques utilized by the authors to avoid such complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-seven of 841 (15 %) patients who were assessed both preoperatively and intraoperatively for the presence of an anatomical issue of the soft triangle were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups according to their anatomical features that were identified intraoperatively. The preoperative and postoperative photographs of all patients were compared to assess the effects of the respective soft triangle grafts on both nostril length and the nostril/lobule harmony.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average follow-up time of the patients was 27 months (6-60). Postoperative notching (of various degrees) was found in six (6/127) total patients: one (1/31) patient in the first group, two (2/24) patients in the second group, and three (3/72) patients in the third group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neglecting the soft triangle area might yield grim results in terms of cosmetic and functional aspects. To avoid these problems, incisions should be planned purposefully, and patients who have anatomically weak support should be identified so that additional precautions should be taken for these cases.
  
  
  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: Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Department, Sakarya University Medical School, Adnan Menderes Cad No.145, Adapazarı, Sakarya, Turkey, kayabasoglu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Gurkan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kayabasoglu
authors.forename: Alpen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nacar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004954:Esthetics; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055171:Nasal Cartilages / Q000601:surgery*; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000601:surgery*; D009666:Nose / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D010781:Photography; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D064746:Therapy, Soft Tissue / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult