Rhinoplasty: the retractable roof

A new operative technique is described in which the natural curved nasal dorsum is retained in a modified fashion. Specifically, the nasal dorsum is elevated, the nasal height is reduced, and then the newly designed roof is lowered. Based on a minimum 1-year follow-up of 14 patients and a total experience of 28 patients, the procedure has the following advantages: (1) near normal anatomic structure is retained, (2) common secondary dorsal deformities are avoided, (3) the retained roof can function as a spreader graft, (4) the skin attachment with its attendant blood supply is preserved, and (5) the graft can be removed primarily or easily modified secondarily. Disadvantages appear to be the need for greater finesse and a limited follow-up of 2 years.     

Rhinoplasty: the light reflexes

The physical characteristics of the light reflexes of the nasal tip are defined in large part by the studio lighting configuration. By varying the lighting configuration, it is possible to alter the light reflexes as regards their number, distance apart, symmetry, and size. For the plastic surgeon, the quarter light system of the medical photographer has definite advantages over the key light system of the portrait photographer. The quarter light system consists of two lights of equal intensity with symmetrical angles of incidence placed at 45 degrees to the camera-subject axis. Measuring changes in the light reflexes as a method of determining the efficacy of surgical techniques is valid under very controlled conditions.     

Rhinoplasty

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Discuss desired preoperative aesthetic and functional assessment of the postsurgical nose with rhinoplasty patients. 2. Identify factors that have the potential to affect procedural outcomes. 3. Develop an operative plan to address aesthetic goals while preserving/improving nasal airway function. 4. Recognize and manage complications following rhinoplasty. SUMMARY: Rhinoplasty is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic surgical procedures in plastic surgery. Over the past 20 years, the trend has shifted away from ablative techniques involving reduction or division of the osseocartilaginous framework to conserving native anatomy with cartilage-sparing suture techniques and augmentation of deficient areas to correct contour deformities and restore structural support. Accurate preoperative systematic nasal analysis and evaluation of the nasal airway, along with identification of both the patient's expectations and the surgeon's goals, form the foundation for success. Intraoperatively, adequate anatomical exposure of the nasal deformity; preservation and restoration of the normal anatomy; correction of the deformity using incremental control, maintenance, and restoration of the nasal airway; and recognition of the dynamic interplays among the composite of maneuvers are required. During postoperative recovery, care and reassurance combined with an ability to recognize and manage complications lead to successful outcomes following rhinoplasty.     

Rhinoplasty: personal evolution and milestones

Over the past 35 years, aesthetic rhinoplasty has evolved from a generic, reductive operation to a highly individualized, problem-specific operation that often combines augmentation with reduction. The author's experience has been marked by the following conceptual and technical milestones that have contributed to an ongoing exploration and advancement of nasal surgery: (1) vestibular stenosis: diagnosis of a surgical consequence; (2) etiology and treatment of supratip deformity: the dynamic relationship of soft-tissue contour to skeleton; (3) etiology and treatment of the tip with inadequate projection: tip graft design; (4) practical aesthetics of balance: the augmentation-reduction approach to rhinoplasty; (5) support of the middle vault: functional and aesthetic effects; (6) malposition of the lateral crura: recognition and management; and (7) the significance of the middle crura: clinical and aesthetic considerations.     

Comparative analysis of realistic CT-scan and simplified human airway models in airflow simulation

Efforts to model the human upper respiratory system have undergone many phases. Geometrical proximity to the realistic shape has been the subject of many research projects. In this study, three different geometries of the trachea and main bronchus were modelled, which were reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) scan images. The geometrical variations were named realistic, simplified and oversimplified. Realistic refers to the lifelike image taken from digital imaging and communications in medicine format CT scan images, simplified refers to the reconstructed image based on natural images without realistic details pertaining to the rough surfaces, and oversimplified describes the straight wall geometry of the airway. The characteristics of steady state flows with different flow rates were investigated, simulating three varied physical activities and passing through each model. The results agree with previous studies where simplified models are sufficient for providing comparable results for airflow in human airways. This work further suggests that, under most exercise conditions, the idealised oversimplified model is not favourable for simulating either airflow regimes or airflow with particle depositions. However, in terms of immediate analysis for the prediction of abnormalities of various dimensions of human airways, the oversimplified techniques may be used.     

Rhinoplasty: large nostril/small tip disproportion

Surgeons must recognize large nostril/small tip disproportion as a distinct challenge in rhinoplasty surgery. The critical first step is to correctly analyze the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that contribute to the deformity. The nostril axis is drawn between the nostril apices and extended in both directions. It is then subdivided into a nostril and intrinsic tip component. The ratio of nostril to tip should be 55:45; a ratio of 60:40 is acceptable. The surgical solution requires both an increase in intrinsic tip projection by lengthening the infralobular segment and a nostril reduction. The anatomical deformity consists of three components: (1) the alar cartilages are highly divergent, (2) the infralobular segment is quite short, and (3) the domal segment is flat and ill defined. The operative technique advocated by the author combines a three-stitch tip procedure, including an interdomal suture over a straight strut, plus nostril sill/alar wedge resections.     

Rhinoplasty with advancing age

Rhinoplasty in the aging patient poses a unique set of challenges to the plastic surgeon. Aging patients usually have different expectations and motivations than their younger counterparts; therefore, open communication and frank discussions are paramount to define realistic goals. Anatomically, changes in skin quality, cartilage characteristics, underlying bony framework, and the nasal airways mandate special considerations to optimize the functional and aesthetic results. This review will present a practical approach to the management of the nose in the aging patient.     

Rhinoplasty in the African-American patient

Because of the increasing popularity of rhinoplasty in the African-American patient, we delineate how a rhinoplasty surgeon can perform this challenging technique to obtain uniform and consistent results. First, we address how one can appreciate and analyze the various aesthetic concepts of beauty and the unique anatomic characteristics of the African-American nose. Second, we present a pragmatic, systematic analysis of the African-American nose. Last, we describe the techniques consistently used to modify the African-American nose while achieving or maintaining facial harmony using the open approach to rhinoplasty. Specific case analyses are presented to demonstrate utilization of the technique.