Modified Direct-Type Septal Extension Grafts: Their Stability and Usefulness in Asian Rhinoplasty.
BACKGROUND
In Asian rhinoplasty, many autogenous cartilage grafts are required for correction of the nasal tip and columella, but the amount has limitations. A modified direct-type septal extension graft, in continuity with the entire caudal border of the septal cartilage with an edge-to-edge coaptation, can effectively and concomitantly correct the nasal tip and columella deformities using a limited amount of septal cartilage graft. The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term cosmetic outcomes and stability from the modified direct extension grafts.


METHODS
Fifty-seven patients with a follow-up of more than 1 year were enrolled in the study. A total of 11 measurement items were evaluated from basal and right lateral views by photogrammetry using standardized clinical photographic techniques.


RESULTS
The overall mean follow-up period was 20.4 months. When comparing the preoperative and postoperative values, the nasal tip projection, nasal bridge length, nasal tip angle, height of nose, and the columellar labial angle increased significantly; additionally, the soft nose width index, width between ac-ac index, nostril axis inclination, columellar length (Rt-Lt), and the alar length (Rt-Lt) decreased significantly. No resorption, buckling, or displacement of the graft was observed during the follow-up period.


CONCLUSIONS
The modified direct extension graft demonstrated a marked aesthetic improvement in the nasal tip and columella, and it provided long-term stability. Therefore, the modified direct extension graft is useful for correction of the nasal tip and columella in Asian rhinoplasty.
From the *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Goyang; and †Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
So-Eun
SE
Han
Kihwan
K
Han
Jaehoon
J
Choi
Tae Bin
TB
Yun
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum / Q000637:transplantation*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010780:Photogrammetry; D012225:Rhinoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous; D055815:Young Adult