• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.564-569
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• 2016

Background Alar retraction is a challenging condition in rhinoplasty marked by exaggerated nostril exposure and awkwardness. Although various methods for correcting alar retraction have been introduced, none is without drawbacks. Herein, we report a simple procedure that is both effective and safe for correcting alar retraction using only conchal cartilage grafting. Methods Between August 2007 and August 2009, 18 patients underwent conchal cartilage extension grafting to correct alar retraction. Conchal cartilage extension grafts were fixed to the caudal margins of the lateral crura and covered with vestibular skin advancement flaps. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were reviewed and analyzed. Patient satisfaction was surveyed and categorized into 4 groups (very satisfied, satisfied, moderate, or unsatisfied). Results According to the survey, 8 patients were very satisfied, 9 were satisfied, and 1 considered the outcome moderate, resulting in satisfaction for most patients. The average distance from the alar rim to the long axis of the nostril was reduced by 1.4 mm (3.6 to 2.2 mm). There were no complications, except in 2 cases with palpable cartilage step-off that resolved without any aesthetic problems. Conclusions Conchal cartilage alar extension graft is a simple, effective method of correcting alar retraction that can be combined with aesthetic rhinoplasty conveniently, utilizing conchal cartilage, which is the most similar cartilage to alar cartilage, and requiring a lesser volume of cartilage harvest compared to previously devised methods. However, the current procedure lacks efficacy for severe alar retraction and a longer follow-up period may be required to substantiate the enduring efficacy of the current procedure.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2021

Background For an attractive and natural tip contour in Asian rhinoplasty, insertion of a nasal implant and reinforcement of the cartilaginous framework are essential. However, scar contracture, which often results from augmentation with implant insertion and inadequate soft tissue coverage of the framework, is one of the most common causes of alar retraction. This study reports a novel method of redraping soft tissue along the alar rim to prevent alar retraction in Asians. Methods Twenty young Asian men who underwent primary rhinoplasty with septoplasty were retrospectively reviewed. After the usual rhinoplasty procedures, alar rim redraping was conducted for the soft tissue along the transcolumellar and bilateral infracartilaginous incisions. The longest axis of the nostril (a) and the height of the nostril from that axis (b) were measured in anterior-posterior and lateral views. The preoperative and postoperative ratios (b/a) were analyzed using the paired t-test. Results All 20 patients showed natural contours of the nasal tip, nostrils, and alae after a mean follow-up of 53.6 weeks (range, 52-60 weeks). The ratio of the nostril axes significantly decreased postoperatively in all patients except one, by an average of 11.08%±6.52% in the anterior-posterior view and 17.74%±8.49% in the lateral view (P<0.01). There were no complications, including asymmetry, contracture, subdermal plexus injury, flap congestion, or infection. Conclusions A quantitative analysis of alar retraction by evaluating the ratio of nostril axes showed that alar rim redraping is a simple and effective adjuvant technique for preventing alar retraction in rhinoplasty for young Asian men.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.376-382
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• 2011

Purpose: In patients with unilateral cleft lip and nose deformity, alar retraction is commonly seen on the non-cleft side after cleft side is corrected. Spacer graft was used to drag down the inferior border of the alar cartilage of the non-cleft side so as to match the cleft side. By performing spacer graft and septal extension graft together, symmetry and cosmetic improvements were achieved. Methods: Seven unilateral cleft lip and nose deformity patients underwent surgery for alar retraction correction. The median age was 24 years (ranged from 15 to 34 years), and the median follow-up period was 7.4 months (ranged from 6 to 12 months). The perpendicular length from the longitudinal axis of the nostril to the alar rim, the nasolabial angle and the ala-labial angle were measured in the lateral view photo. The longest perpendicular length from the cephalic border of the alar rim to the parallel line of the alar base was measured in the frontal view photo. Results: Improvement in alar retraction was seen after the surgery. There were no specific complications during the follow-up and the symmetry of both nostrils was satisfactory. No increase in the nasolabial angle or exposure of the nostrils was seen after the tip projection via tip plasty. Conclusion: The fundamental factor in correcting alar retraction with secondary cleft lip and nose deformity is repositioning the alar rim with spacer graft, which seems to be more physiologic than other methods. The method combining spacer graft with septal extension graft will bring symmetry as well as more cosmetic improvement in correction of alar retraction with secondary cleft lip and nose deformity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2009

Purpose: The importance of the deformities in alar - columellar complex has been underestimated in Asian ethnic groups for the last decades. Fortunately, with increasing familiarity of the open rhinoplasty techniques, the anatomic details of the nasal tip have been pointed up. Definitely, having an interest and demand for improving the sub - normal relationship between the alar rim and columella are indebted for such growing of knowledge about nasal tip anatomy. However, it is true that any single procedure is not settled as versatile and fully confident modality to correct the retracted notching of the alar rim. With this article, I should like to propose another useful option for treating retracted ala. Methods: The author has tried to correct alar rim retraction by means of: (1) Triangular onlay septal cartilage graft on the lower lateral cartilage with the medial end fixed to the anterior surface of the lateral crus(Alar extension graft), (2) Inserting lateral end of the alar extension graft to the vestibular skin pocket in the form of a finger - in - groove, (3) using the vestibular skin in the form of an advancement flap, and (4) using the soft shield graft to prevent possible visible step - off of the alar margin. Results: The author applied an alar extension graft to 16 patients in order to correct a retracted ala for the last 27 months (August, 2003 - October, 2005). The distances from alar rim to long axis of nostril were improved to be within 2 mm in all of the cases, and also the shape of the alar rim changed to a round form. Nostril asymmetry (6%) in one case, temporary palpable step - off (18%) in three cases, temporary visible step - off (6%) in one case, and temporary paresthesia of the tip (25%) in four cases were observed. Conclusion: The alar extension graft is simple and efficacious. It does not need donor sites other than the operative field, and its results are predictable. In particular, since it may give structural intensity to a weak lower lateral cartilage, it may be preferentially used for the correction of a retracted ala that arises from hypoplastic lower lateral cartilage. Moreover intensified lower lateral cartilage also improves the esthetic shape of lobule.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2014

In patients having a short nose with a short septal length and/or severe columellar retraction, a septal extension graft is a good solution, as it allows the dome to move caudally and pushes down the columellar base. Fixing the medial crura of the alar cartilages to a septal extension graft leads to an uncomfortably rigid nasal tip and columella, and results in unnatural facial animation. Further, because of the relatively small and weak septal cartilage in the East Asian population, undercorrection of a short nose is not uncommon. To overcome these shortcomings, we have used the septal extension graft combined with a derotation graft. Among 113 patients who underwent the combined procedure, 82 patients had a short nose deformity alone; the remaining 31 patients had a short nose with columellar retraction. Thirty-two patients complained of nasal tip stiffness caused by a septal extension graft from previous operations. In addition to the septal extension graft, a derotation graft was used for bridging the gap between the alar cartilages and the septal extension graft for tip lengthening. Satisfactory results were obtained in 102 (90%) patients. Eleven (10%) patients required revision surgery. This combination method is a good surgical option for patients who have a short nose with small septal cartilages and do not have sufficient cartilage for tip lengthening by using a septal extension graft alone. It can also overcome the postoperative nasal tip rigidity of a septal extension graft.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.324-329
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• 1999

The facial esthetics are much affected by nasal changes due to especially its central position in relation to facial outline and so appropriately evaluated should be the functional and esthetic aspects of the nose associated with the facial appearance. Generally, a maxillary surgical movement is known to induce the changes of nasolabial morphology secondary to the skeletal repositioning accompanied by muscular retraction. These changes can be desirable or undesirable to individuals according to the direction and amount of maxillary repositioning. We investigated the surgical changes of bony maxilla and its effects to nasal morphology through the analysis of the lateral cephalogram in the Le Fort I osteotomy. Subjects were 10 patients(male 2, female 8, mean age 22.3 years) and cephalograms were obtained 2 weeks before surgery(T1) and 6 months after surgery(T2). The surgical maxillary movement was identified through the horizontal and vertical repositioning of point A. Soft-tissue analysis of the nasal profile was performed employing two angles: nasal tip projection(NTP), columellar angle(CA). Also, alar base width(ABW) was assessed directly on the patients with a slide gauge. The results were as follows; 1. Both anterior and superior movement above 2mm of maxilla rotated up nasal tip above 1mm. Either anterior or superior movement above 2mm of maxilla made prediction of the amount & direction of NTP changes difficult. Especially, a correlation between horizontal movement of maxilla and NTP rotated-up was P<0.01. 2. Both much highly anterior and superior movement of maxilla is accompanied by more CA increase than either highly. Especially, the correlation between horizontal movement of maxilla and CA change was P<0.05. 3. Anterior and/or superior movement of maxilla was accompanied by the unpredictable ABW widening. 4. The amount of changes of NTP, CA, and ABW is not in direct proportion to amout of anterior and/or superior movement of maxilla. 5. Nasal morphologic changes following Le Fort I osteotomy are affacted by not merely bony repositioning but other multiple factors.