COSMETIC RHINOPLASTY

Rhinoplasty is safe, relatively painless and, if patients are carefully selected, quite successful. Psychological and personal benefits amply justify the procedure.Frequent indications are feelings of social rejection or ridicule and racial discrimination. Psychoneurotic patients with severe complexes, however, are poor subjects for rhinoplasty and should not be operated upon. It is doubtful that rhinoplasty grossly changes the physiologic integrity of the nose.Psychological trauma to the patient during hospitalization is to be avoided, sedation properly gauged for each patient, and complete block anesthesia used to preserve the cough reflex. The operation is brief and a small splint is worn for a few days. Complications are rare.     

Four common anatomic variants that predispose to unfavorable rhinoplasty results: a study based on 150 consecutive secondary rhinoplasties

A retrospective study was conducted of 150 consecutive secondary rhinoplasty patients operated on by the author before February of 1999, to test the hypothesis that four anatomic variants (low radix/low dorsum, narrow middle vault, inadequate tip projection, and alar cartilage malposition) strongly predispose to unfavorable rhinoplasty results. The incidences of each variant were compared with those in 50 consecutive primary rhinoplasty patients. Photographs before any surgery were available in 61 percent of the secondary patients; diagnosis in the remaining individuals was made from operative reports, physical diagnosis, or patient history. Low radix/low dorsum was present in 93 percent of the secondary patients and 32 percent of the primary patients; narrow middle vault was present in 87 percent of the secondary patients and 38 percent of the primary patients; inadequate tip projection was present in 80 percent of the secondary patients and 31 percent of the primary patients; and alar cartilage malposition was present in 42 percent of the secondary patients and 18 percent of the primary patients. In the 150-patient secondary group, the most common combination was the triad of low radix, narrow middle vault, and inadequate tip projection (40 percent of patients). The second largest group (27 percent) had shared all four anatomic points before their primary rhinoplasties. Seventy-eight percent of the secondary patients had three or all four anatomic variants in some combination; each secondary patient had at least one of the four traits; 99 percent had two or more. Seventy-eight percent of the primary patients had at least two variants, and 58 percent had three or more. Twenty-two percent of the primary patients had none of the variants and therefore would presumably not be predisposed to unfavorable results following traditional reduction rhinoplasty. This study supports the contention that four common anatomic variants, if unrecognized, are strongly associated with unfavorable results following primary rhinoplasty. It is important for all surgeons performing rhinoplasty to recognize these anatomic variants to avoid the unsatisfactory functional and aesthetic sequelae that they may produce by making their correction a deliberate part of each preoperative surgical plan.     

The alar contour graft: correction and prevention of alar rim deformities in rhinoplasty

One of the most common problems affecting both the primary and secondary rhinoplasty patient is deformity of the alar rim. Typically, this deformity is caused by congenital malpositioning, hypoplasia, or surgical weakening of the lateral crura, with the potential for both functional and aesthetic ramifications. Successful correction and prevention of alar rim deformities requires precise preoperative diagnosis and planning. Multiple techniques of varying complexity have been described to treat this common and challenging problem.Over the past 6 years (1994 through 2000), the authors have employed a simple technique in 123 patients for alar retraction that involves the nonanatomic insertion of an autogenous cartilage buttress into an alar-vestibular pocket. Among the 53 patients who underwent primary rhinoplasty in this study, 91 percent experienced correction or prevention of alar notching or collapse. However, correction was achieved for only 73 percent of the patients who underwent secondary rhinoplasty; many of whom had alar retraction secondary to scarring or lining loss. In patients with moderate or significant lining loss or scarring, a lateral crural strut graft is recommended. The alar contour graft provides the foundation in the patient undergoing primary or secondary rhinoplasty for the reestablishment of a normally functioning external nasal valve and an aesthetically pleasing alar contour. This article discusses the anatomic and aesthetic considerations of alar rim deformities and the indications and the surgical technique for the alar contour graft.     

Importance of the nasal-to-cervical relationship to the profile in rhinoplasty surgery

There is general agreement that when discussing surgery with the prospective rhinoplasty patient, one may also include discussion of the chin because of the important interrelationship between these two regions. It is apparent that on the profile-lateral view, the four prominences-the forehead, nose, chin, and neck-balance and complement one another. The cervical region, the fourth dimension, was examined to estimate the aesthetic significance of the nasal-to-cervical relationship and to determine the implications to rhinoplasty surgery.Part I of the study was a survey to test the hypothesis that the cervical region affects the perceived impression of the nose. Four standard facial-profile black-and-white photographs were chosen to represent varying degrees of nasal dorsum hump and cervical ptosis problems. Using computer-altering software, only the cervical regions were altered to create a pair of photographs for each of the four profiles: one with a youthful-looking non-ptotic cervical region, the other with a ptotic aged-looking cervical region. Raters were asked to give their first-impression opinions of which nose subjectively appeared "better." Raters consistently (84 percent of the time) chose the nose on the faces with the less ptotic neck as being better. Therefore, a less ptotic neck improved the perceived appearance of the nose.Part II was a retrospective chart review of the rhinoplasty patients of a single surgeon by independent raters. To estimate the aesthetic significance of the nasal-to-cervical relationship, the proportion of patients undergoing rhinoplasty surgery who could have potentially benefited from a youth-restoring neck procedure was determined. Criteria originally described by Ellenbogen and Karlin for judging the results of youth-restoring neck procedures were used as relative indications for neck surgery. An average of 27.2 percent of the patients did not have visible criteria and therefore by definition had relative indications for neck-rejuvenating procedures when undergoing rhinoplasty surgery. As demonstrated in part I of the study, improving the neck could improve the perceived results of the rhinoplasty.Part III of the study validated the Ellenbogen and Karlin criteria. The present authors found that the original criteria were probably based on female patients, that male and older patients had more indications for surgery, and that there was significant interrater agreement with the youthful criteria.In summary, the authors established that a strong nasal-to-cervical relationship exists whereby the perceived appearance of the nose is affected by the neck. The significance of this relationship to rhinoplasty surgery was determined, and it was found that more than 27 percent of rhinoplasty patients could obtain better perceived nasal results with a concomitant neck-rejuvenating procedure. Consequently, discussing neck-rejuvenating procedures with the rhinoplasty patient is valuable.     

Valvular obstruction of the nasal airway.

Valvular nasal obstruction may occur in the postoperative rhinoplasty patient. One may anticipate a dropping of the tip, from residual redundant or inelastic skin, in some older patients with long noses. Measures to correct (or avoid) this may be undertaken at the time of the primary rhinoplasty. However, an overcorrection may be necessary if there is much redundant skin. Discretion may indicate the need for a secondary procedure. Lateral wall valving is unusual-but it may occur in the long, high, thin nose (where a suggestion of this action may be observed preoperatively). Maintenance of continuous cartilage along the alar rim, at the time of alar cartilage resection, appears to be important in prevention of postoperative valvular obstruction in these few patients.     

Hemodynamic effects of perioperative stressor events during rhinoplasty

The hemodynamic effects of perioperative stressors, including preoperative patient anxiety, intraoperative local anesthetic/adrenaline infiltrations, and some painful interventions, have not been fully elucidated in plastic surgery procedures. The present study was designed to determine the hemodynamic effects of perioperative stressor events in American Society of Anesthesiologists class I patients undergoing rhinoplasty procedures under general anesthesia. The study included 50 healthy patients, 18 to 51 years of age (mean age, 27 +/- 7 years), who underwent a rhinoplasty procedure in the authors' department. All patients were connected to a digital ambulatory Holter recorder for 24 hours starting on the day before the operation and continuing throughout the procedure. All of the patients received 10 ml of 2% lidocaine with 1:80,000 adrenaline 15 minutes after intubation. Observations consisted of heart rate, noninvasive blood pressure, and power spectral heart rate variability analyses, the latter of which is indicative of the sympathovagal balance of the patients. The majority of patients developed a persistent, moderate sinus tachycardia before the induction of anesthesia. After the infiltration of lidocaine/adrenaline, a mild to moderate and short-lasting tachycardia was detected. A similar increase in pulse rate was also noticed during lateral osteotomies. No significant blood pressure changes attributable to perioperative stressors (with the exclusion of general anesthesia induction, intubation, and extubation) were observed. Sympathetic activity was found to be responsible from marked tachycardia before the induction, which was attributable to preoperative anxiety. The authors' study has demonstrated that there are three hemodynamically unstable periods causing tachycardia for rhinoplasty patients that directly concern the plastic surgeon: immediate preoperative anxiety, local anesthetic/adrenaline injection, and lateral osteotomies. The authors conclude that these patients would benefit from routine use of premedications and that a lidocaine/adrenaline combination is a safe adjunct to general anesthesia in young rhinoplasty patients. In addition, a deeper anesthesia during local infiltration and osteotomies would be appropriate.     

Hispanic rhinoplasty in the United States,with emphasis on the Mexican American nose

Because an increasing number of Hispanic patients are seeking nasal surgical treatment, a critical analysis of 25 consecutive Hispanic rhinoplasties was performed. After a review of the patient data and preoperative photographs, a new classification was developed, based on the type of deformity rather than geographical origins (as previously used). A treatment paradigm is offered for each type of deformity. Type I involves a high radix, a high dorsum, and a nearly normal tip and is often referred to as a Castilian nose. Treatment consists of a closed functional reduction rhinoplasty, with dorsal reduction and minor tip changes. Type II involves a low radix, a normal dorsum, and a dependent tip and is a new designation. Treatment consists of a finesse rhinoplasty with a radix graft, minimal dorsal changes, use of a columellar strut for support, and open tip suturing. Type III involves a broad base, thick skin, and a wide tip deformity, with its worst expression in the mestizo nose. Treatment consists of a balanced rhinoplasty with minimal dorsal alteration but maximal lobular reduction and an open-structure tip graft. The following conclusions with respect to Hispanic rhinoplasty in the United States are important: (1) an enormous anatomical diversity of deformities is present, in contrast to Asian and black noses; (2) three distinct types of deformities have been identified, each of which requires a different surgical approach; (3) a wide variety of surgical techniques are necessary, in contrast to other ethnic noses; (4) conservative dorsal reduction is essential for type II and III noses; and (5) limitations imposed by the skin envelope are far less than presupposed, and the results are better than generally recognized. As the Hispanic population grows and becomes more prosperous, plastic surgeons in the United States can expect to encounter an increasing number of Hispanic patients requesting rhinoplasty.     

Digital photography for rhinoplasty

Standardized, high-quality, preoperative photographs of the nose are critical for preoperative rhinoplasty planning, comparative postoperative assessment, and demonstration of surgical results. To produce these high-quality, reproducible photographs, it is essential to standardize lighting, to properly position the patient in standard views, to avoid lens distortion, and to maintain consistent camera-to-subject distances. Traditional photographic standards have been well documented in the literature; however, most do not address digital photography, and none address digital photography for rhinoplasty. Certain variables in digital photography that are not present in 35-mm photography can be critical to the appearance of the final image. Variables such as image color and contrast (which usually vary between digital cameras), focal length differences between 35-mm and most digital cameras, the effect of resolution and compression on image quality, and the effect of the printing method used can affect the appearance of the external anatomy of the nose in the final print or image. Lack of detail in the external nasal anatomy becomes an issue if the surgeon uses the photograph intraoperatively for reference, as the authors do. Initially, the authors experienced difficulties with observing subtleties in the tip-defining points and tip anatomy using digital photography when compared with our traditional methods of 35-mm photography. The lack of detail in the external anatomy was most prevalent in the frontal and basal views. Thus, the authors have since tailored their photographic methods to document the rhinoplasty patient to maximize the visual information of the external nasal anatomy in the photographic and the printed image. This article is intended to review the photographic principles for standardized rhinoplasty photography, address the additional considerations necessary when using digital photography, discuss the printing variables that can affect overall quality of the printed image, and discuss the authors' new method of photographing the rhinoplasty patient.     

The cocaine user: the potential problem patient for rhinoplasty

The current popularity of cocaine use poses special hazards for the patient and the plastic surgeon during rhinoplasty. It is incumbent upon the surgeon to inquire preoperatively about possible recreational use of cocaine. As the preferred site of cocaine administration, the nasal septal mucosa is exposed to both the intense vasoconstrictive action of cocaine and the irritative effects of numerous contaminating additives. Pathologic changes in the septal mucosa should be recognized by preoperative rhinoscopy and evaluated by biopsy. In this series of 13 patients, fewer than half were properly identified as cocaine users during the preoperative consultation. Preoperative rhinoscopic findings varied from grossly unremarkable septal mucosa to visible perforation and microscopic evidence of granulomas, inflammation, and necrosis. Surgical complications consisted of localized septal collapse, delayed mucosal healing, and inadequate correction of septal deflection. Submucous resection and septoplasty should be avoided in patients with a known history of intranasal cocaine application. Although rhinoplasty can be safely performed in selected patients with a history of cocaine use, it may be extremely limited, unfeasible, or hazardous in those with significant mucosal and cartilaginous impairment as well as in those patients who refuse or are unable to relinquish the drug.     

Male rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is one of the most complex and challenging operations in plastic surgery. This complexity is increased among male patients, because male patients tend to have relatively nonspecific complaints, are typically more demanding, and are regarded as being much less attentive during consultations. It is critical for the surgeon to verify that the male patient has realistic goals before he undergoes an operation, and the surgeon must confirm that the male patient has heard and understood all of the risks, benefits, and options. It is essential that masculine features be preserved for male rhinoplasty patients. Excessive dorsal reduction or tip refinement produces unsatisfactory results. A comprehensive discussion of proper evaluation of the male nose, surgical planning, intraoperative techniques, and postoperative treatment is presented. These tools should allow plastic surgeons to produce a balanced harmonious nose in relation to the rest of the face.     

Indications and use of composite grafts in 100 consecutive secondary and tertiary rhinoplasty patients: introduction of the axial orientation

The fragile alar rims are complex structures whose specialized and supportive skin ensures the competence of the external valves and the patency of the inlets to the nasal airways. A chart review was performed of 100 consecutive secondary or tertiary rhinoplasty patients in whom the author had placed composite grafts before February 1999. Follow-up continued for at least 12 months. In 94 percent of the patients, composite grafts were harvested from the cymba conchae by removing the cartilage with its adherent anterior skin. In 6 percent of the patients, independently indicated alar wedges supplied the grafts. Six patients required secondary procedures to thin the alar rims, but such revisions have not been necessary since primary contouring of the cartilaginous graft component was instituted. Three auricular donor-site complications (one keloid, two thickened graft contours) were successfully revised through office procedures. Prior cosmetic rhinoplasty in a patient with normal alar cartilage anatomy exceeded all other etiologies as the cause of the deformity for which composite grafts were indicated (50 percent). The second most common etiology was deformity from prior rhinoplasty in a patient with alar cartilage malposition (33 percent of patients). Congenital deformities (7 percent of patients), trauma (6 percent), and prior tumor ablation (4 percent) comprised the remaining etiologies. Composite grafts were used most frequently to correct alar notching or asymmetry in rim height (43 percent of patients) or to provide an increase in apparent or real nasal length (28 percent). External valvular incompetence (14 percent of patients), nostril or vestibular stenosis (11 percent), or combined vestibular stenosis and lateral alar wall collapse (4 percent) were less common indications. Most composite grafts were oriented in the coronal plane (parallel to the alar rims). However, nostril or vestibular stenosis was corrected by sagittally placed composite grafts, and a third orientation (axial plane), to the author's knowledge not described previously, was used in patients with combined nostril stenoses and flattening of the alar walls. In this secondary rhinoplasty series, iatrogenic alar rim deformities or stenoses following cosmetic rhinoplasty dominated other causes requiring composite graft reconstruction (83 percent of patients). Of these 83 patients, 39.7 percent had preexisting alar cartilage malpositions, further supporting the importance of making accurate anatomical diagnosis part of every preoperative rhinoplasty plan.     

Nose surgery: how to prevent a middle vault collapse--a review of 50 patients 3 to 21 years after surgery

There is a conception, likely a misconception, that when performing a nasal osteotomy with a concomitant dorsal hump removal, the upper lateral cartilages are detached or damaged and, over the long-term, respiratory difficulties result because of a middle vault collapse or interference with the internal nasal valve. A follow-up of 50 patients between 3 and 21 years postoperatively provides evidence that this can be prevented. The vast majority (82 percent) reported they were breathing very well for an average of 6.5 years postoperatively. Of the authors' own 38 primary rhinoplasty patients, only two patients (5 percent) reported respiratory difficulties. The authors are unable to substantiate that either the osteotomy or the dorsal hump removal was responsible. Of the 12 patients who had their primary rhinoplasty performed elsewhere, six (50 percent) reported respiratory difficulties before the secondary rhinoplasty at this clinic. Furthermore, an appreciable improvement in breathing was reported by 66.7 percent of these patients after the secondary rhinoplasty. The authors conclude that their gentle proper surgical technique, combined with a good understanding of nasal physiology (with respect to the septum, inferior turbinates, and external and internal valves), allows them to perform a concomitant dorsal hump removal and osteotomy without interfering with nasal physiology.     

Use of Banked Tissue in Plastic Surgery

The availability of safe and reliable, banked tissues in India has enabled the use of human bone allografts as a viable alternative to autografts in reconstructive surgery. Lyophilised, irradiated bone grafts were used in 2 cases of rhinoplasty, a case of hemifacial atrophy, and as a chin implant.In the patient with revision rhinoplasty the rib graft was resorbed. The patient with hemifacial atrophy developed seroma and infection in the zygomatic and infraorbital area and the rib graft had to be removed. The graft from the same rib that was placed over the mandible was retained well and incorporated completely. The iliac crest cortico-cancellous grafts did well in the second case of augmentation rhinoplasty and in the augmentation of chin.The primary objective of reconstructive surgery in the treatment of burns, non-healing wounds and pressure sores is to remove the dead tissue and restore the continuity of the skin without delay. Lyophilised, irradiated, human amnion is a temporary biological dressing conveniently available off-the-shelf. It was used in twenty four patients with burns, eight patients with bedsores and six patients with non-healing ulcers mainly on the foot. The total surface areas of burns sustained were from 2% to 40%. The burns ranged from second degree to deep third degree burns. Amnion was not used in patients with infected third degree burns.The amnion provided good biological cover in all the patients. It was easy to handle and apply, and provided pain relief. The duration of healing varied depending on the extent and depth of the wound and the amount of exudate. The superficial bedsores healed with a single application of amnion. Reduced exudate, healthy granulation tissue and enhanced epithelisation were observed following application of amnion.     

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.     

Extended incision in open-approach rhinoplasty for asians

The purpose of this study was to introduce an extended incision in open-approach rhinoplasty for obtaining greater satisfaction in aesthetic rhinoplasty for Asians. This incision is the same as for the usual open rhinoplasty incision, but it is extended along the caudal border of the footplates of the medial crura onto the floor of the nasal vestibule to access the footplates of the medial crura more easily. This simple extended incision enabled the authors to achieve further tip projection because the pressure of the skin flap on the tip was reduced. By approximating the lateral curves of the medial crural footplates, the width and the length of the columella were narrowed and lengthened, respectively. The columella was also advanced caudally; thus, the shape of the nostrils could also be elongated. In addition, a cartilage graft or an implant insertion for alar base augmentation could be performed through this extended incision without an additional incision. Another advantage was that in correction of caudal septal deviation, displaced septal cartilage could be repositioned by suturing to the periosteum or soft tissue around the anterior nasal spine without drilling into it through an intraoral incision. Fifty-one consecutive patients who underwent this extended open-approach rhinoplasty between August of 1999 and September of 2000 were included in this study. A total of 40 patients had an adequate follow-up time of over 6 months. Patient satisfaction and postoperative complications were recorded. The majority of the patients (35 of 40) were satisfied with the results of the procedure. Two patients had complications of nostril-scar contracture requiring close follow-up. There were no cases of implant extrusion, displacement, or infection. No patients experienced transcolumellar or extended-incision scarring. Although further studies and longer follow-up are needed to determine the value of this incision, the authors believe that the addition of the extended incision in open-approach rhinoplasty is safe and reliable for effecting better results for Asians.     

A cadaveric analysis of the ideal costal cartilage graft for Asian rhinoplasty

Augmentation rhinoplasty of the Asian nose may be effectively accomplished with alloplastic materials. However, certain circumstances mandate the use of autologous grafts (e.g., dorsal augmentation that exceeds 8 mm and patient intolerance of alloplastic implants). Septal and auricular cartilages are inadequate for dorsal augmentation of the Asian nose. The use of costal cartilage for autologous augmentation in select Asian patients has proven to be a reliable method in more than 500 operative cases during a 10-year period. This study was designed to evaluate the ideal costal cartilage graft for augmentation rhinoplasty. Forty-two preserved cadavers were studied for the relationship of the individual rib cartilages to the surrounding tissue and for the length and caliber of each costal cartilage. The seventh rib was found to be the ideal rib graft by virtue of its safe location and overall size for grafting. The seventh rib is situated over the abdominal cavity, so the risk of pneumothorax is insignificant. The internal thoracic artery and vein descend in close apposition behind the first to sixth ribs but begin a course medial to the ribs inferior to this point, and therefore vascular injury during seventh-rib harvesting is unknown. The seventh rib also provides the greatest overall available length (90.7 mm, right; 89.6 mm, left) and thickness (17.6 mm, right; 17.5 mm, left). Despite the more conspicuous location of the incision required to harvest the seventh rib, the limited 3-cm incision that is used has healed favorably in almost all cases. The other major drawback for seventh-rib harvesting is the dissection required through the overlying rectus abdominis muscle, but little technical difficulty or postoperative morbidity is added with muscle dissection. The seventh rib is advocated as the ideal choice for augmentation rhinoplasty and potentially other recipient sites.     

Differing characteristics in 100 consecutive secondary rhinoplasty patients following closed versus open surgical approaches

Open rhinoplasty has unquestionably become more popular during the past two decades because of the putative diagnostic and technical advantages that direct transcolumellar access offers. To test the hypothesis that patients initially treated by the opened or closed approaches differed in the secondary deformities that developed, a retrospective study was conducted of 100 consecutive secondary rhinoplasty patients (66 women and 34 men) operated on by the author before February of 1998. Sixty-four percent had previously undergone closed rhinoplasties and 36 had undergone open rhinoplasties; the incidence of prior open rhinoplasty had increased steadily over the survey years, from 21 percent in 1996 to more than 50 percent in 1998, 1999, and 2000 (p < 0.05). The data generated indicate the following. First, the open rhinoplasty patients had undergone more operations (3.1 versus 1.2) and had more presenting complaints (5.8 versus 2.6) than the closed rhinoplasty patients. Second, although the most common presenting complaint among prior closed rhinoplasty patients was an overresected dorsum (50 percent) or tip (33 percent) or internal valvular obstruction (42 percent), prior open rhinoplasty patients complained more frequently than the closed rhinoplasty patients of these problems and also external valvular obstruction (50 percent, p < 0.0001), short nose (39 percent, p < 0.001), wide columella (36 percent, p < 0.001), narrow nose (31 percent, p < 0.001), columellar scar (25 percent, p < 0.001), and symptomatic columellar struts (19 percent, p < 0.001). Only excessive nasal length was more prevalent among closed rhinoplasty patients (20 percent, p < 0.01). Third, ranking of deformities differed significantly (p < 0.0001) between the two groups, so that complaints related to the nostrils, nasal tip, nasal length, or columella were more common among the open rhinoplasty patients than among those previously treated endonasally. Fourth, the relative frequencies of surgical complaints also differed: whereas patients previously treated endonasally were 6.7 times more likely to complain of long noses, patients previously treated by open rhinoplasty complained more frequently of the following: excessive columellar width (open approach, 36 percent of patients; closed approach, none), hard columellar struts (open approach, 19 percent of patients; closed approach, none), external valvular obstruction (4.5 times as frequent with the open approach as it was with the closed approach), alar/nostril distortion (four times as frequent), and narrow nose (3.9 times). Although the most common complaints among all postrhinoplasty patients remain the overresected dorsum, tip, or (internal valvular) airway obstruction, the author's data suggest that patients previously treated by the open approach are more likely to have postsurgical deformities and complaints referable to those anatomic structures most easily reached by transcolumellar exposure and to techniques that can be performed more readily or aggressively through that access route.     

The use of alloderm for the correction of nasal contour deformities

What rhinoplasty surgeon has not been frustrated by unmet expectations from unreliable graft materials? The quest for an ideal graft continues. Septal cartilage is not always adequate in amount or substance. Ear cartilage may cause unsightly irregularities over time. Cranial bone or rib harvest sites add to the complexity of the procedure and can be intimidating for many operators. This article describes the authors' successful experience with AlloDerm onlay grafts for the correction of nasal contour deformities in 58 primary and secondary rhinoplasty cases by means of the open and endonasal approaches. Forty-two patients received an open-approach procedure; the remaining 16 received grafting through an endonasal or closed approach. Thirty-seven of the patients were secondary rhinoplasty patients, and some underwent multiple nasal corrections. The indications, intraoperative surgical technique of graft placement, and representative results will be discussed. Long-term follow-up showed good results, though partial graft resorption occurred in some patients. Overall, this experience with AlloDerm for nasal augmentation was encouraging.     

On rhinomanometry in rhinoplasty

Changes in nasal obstruction, nasal airway resistance, and postoperative nose appearance were evaluated in 92 rhinoplasty patients. Fifty-six patients had a deviation of their nose from the midline preoperatively. They were improved according to rhinomanometry whether the rhinoplasty was combined with a functional septoplasty or with a submucous resection. Among the other 36 patients who did not have a deviation of the nose from the midline, 23 had a rhinoplasty combined with a functional septoplasty and 13 had no surgery on the septum at all. Rhinomanometrically, only patients operated on with the combined operation were improved; the rest became worse, even in terms of nasal obstruction. Among 58 patients from both groups with preoperative nasal obstruction, there was agreement for 76 percent between the subjective and rhinomanometric changes. The advantages of giving the rhinomanometric results in a polar coordinate system are discussed.