Inaccuracy of Standard 2D Photography for the Diagnosis of Cephalic Malposition of Lateral Crural Cartilages

Lateral crural cephalic malposition (LCCM) is a well-known deformity of the nasal tip which contributes to functional disturbances of the external nasal valve. Accurate diagnosis of this deformity helps surgeons plan for better outcomes. A total of 176 candidate patients for primary rhinoplasty underwent standard 2D medical photography of the face. Senior authors analyzed photography results and differentiated the patients with LCCM. In addition, we measured the angle between the dorsal septum and lateral end of the long axis of the alar cartilage in the operation room. Ninety-five patients were diagnosed with LCCM on photography. As much as 31.3% (55) of all the patients had LCCM in intraoperative measurements. The sensitivity and specificity of 2D photography for diagnosing LCCM were 0.7924 and 0.5391, respectively. The main surgical techniques for correction of LCCM were alar repositioning (34.3% in total, 56% in LCCM patients) and lateral crural strut graft (43.8% in total, 69% in LCCM patients). LCCM is overdiagnosed via 2D photography, and this method lacks sensitivity. The overall frequency of LCCM seems to be lower than the previously reported frequency. For optimal results in rhinoplasty, surgeons must focus on the best contouring and function rather than solely correcting angles and rotations.

Restoring Balance and Symmetry to the Aging Nose

Accurate assessment of facial symmetry is a key component of successful rhinoplasty surgery but is often overlooked by both surgeon and patient. Up to three-quarters of patients with a significantly crooked nose have been found to have concurrent marked facial asymmetry. Whilst not a contraindication to rhinoplasty, provided that facial asymmetry is identified in advance and expectations realistic, the correction of nasal deformities can improve perceived facial asymmetry. In the aging face, aside from soft tissue and bony resorption that can amplify facial asymmetry, there are specific surgical challenges to the aging nose; the normal tip support mechanisms deteriorate with age giving rise to distinctive changes to the aging nose—typically tip ptosis and a hanging columella; bone quality becomes more brittle and skin overlying this area becomes thinner. There is also weakening of the external nasal valve thus causing functional impairment too. As a result, rhinoplasty techniques used in younger patients may not be suitable in the aging nose. In this article, the authors describe their experience and outline the evidence on the management of the aging patient with facial and nasal asymmetry.

Costal Cartilage Lateral Crural Strut Graft for Correction of External Nasal Valve Dysfunction in Primary and Revision Rhinoplasty

Objective: To evaluate and compare the costal cartilage lateral crural strut graft’s (LCSG) ability to support a weak lateral crus in patients with external nasal valve dysfunction (EVD) undergoing primary versus revision functional rhinoplasty. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study of 26 patients (mean [SD]: 40.23 [6.75] years of age; 10 [38%] females) with clinically diagnosed EVD, who underwent primary versus revision functional rhinoplasty with the use of a costal cartilage LCSG (10 [38%] primary functional rhinoplasty patients and the 16 [62%] revision patients). Preoperative and 12-month postoperative subjective and objective functional measurements along with statistical analysis were performed. Results: While all baseline demographic and preoperative functional measurement scores were similar between the 2 groups, the primary cohort’s preoperative scores were higher overall. Follow-up was a mean of 14.58 months. The primary group demonstrated a greater difference in score improvement postoperatively in all categories. All patients had significantly improved visual analog scale (VAS), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation Scale, 22-Item Sinonasal Outcome Test, and nasal peak inspiratory flow (NPIF) scores. When comparing the overall score outcome and surgical efficacy of the LCSG, both groups had near equal final score outcomes with the exception of VASL and NPIF. Conclusion: The LCSG is a viable and versatile option in the management of EVD for both primary and revision rhinoplasty patients.

Management of External Nasal Valve Collapse: Literature Review

Rhinoplasty is one of the most frequent cosmetic surgeries in the world and among the most common complications is valve collapse due to excessive resection of the alar cartilage. Facial paralysis, as well as aging, can collapse the lateral wall in inspiration due to dysfunction of the nasal muscle, causing weakening of the fibroalveolar tissue of the nasal lateral wall, and there are also genetic causes that produce valve collapse. Currently, various techniques are practiced to improve valve collapse and none are one hundred percent effective, most of them focus on correcting the nasal valve itself or the triangular cartilage, which indicates that they are fixed on a single factor and not on multifactorial etiology that produces it. This study reviews the clinical evidence that guides a correct diagnosis and effective management of external nasal valve dysfunction, using various techniques that are currently used to improve nasal valve collapse.

The Role of the Depressor Nasi Septi Muscle in Nasal Air Flow

Background Musculus depressor septi nasi and its tendon, the dermocartilaginous ligament, play an important role in external nasal valve and nasal respiration. If the ligament is cut during septorhinoplasty operations, nasal functions of the nose and facial expressions are affected. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of M. depressor septi nasi in nasal respiration at open rhinoplasty operations using rhinomanometry and electromyography. Methods The study included 29 patients who had only external nasal deformity (nasal hump deformity). All patients underwent open rhinoplasty. The dermocartilaginous ligament of the patients in the study group (DCL + group) was repaired but not in the control group (DCL − group). Rhinomanometry and electromyography were applied to all patients preoperatively and postoperatively. Results In the DCL − group, right and left nasal airflow values were significantly lower in post-op (562.92 cm3/s and 548.57 cm3/s), whereas right, left, and total nasal resistances were significantly lower in pre-op (0.28 Pa/cm3/s, 0.22 Pa/cm3/s, and 0.11 Pa/cm3/s). Statistically significant differences were not found between rhinomanometric measurements in pre-op and post-op values of the DCL + group. Post-op right, left and mean values of M. depressor septi nasi amplitude in the DCL + group (2.05 mV, 2.0 mV, 2.02 mV) were significantly higher than those in the DCL − group (1.52 mV, 1.61 mV, 1.57 mV). Conclusion Repair of the dermocartilaginous ligament during open rhinoplasty operations enhances nasal respiratory functions by expanding the external nasal valve through M. depressor septi nasi and allows the nose to participate in mimic movements. Level of Evidence IV 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.

Improvement of Alar Concavity With Scroll Ligament Preservation: Sandwich Technique

Background Excessive concavity of the lower lateral crura can cause significant aesthetic problems for the nasal tip and can be associated with significant functional problems, such as insufficiencies in the external nasal valve. Objectives The aim of this study was to develop a novel technique for the improvement of several alar concavities that preserve the scroll area. Methods In this retrospective study, 51 primary rhinoplasty patients with unoperated alar concavity deformities were assessed. Alar concavities were repaired with alar strut grafts and a superior transposition flap or superior-based sliding flap, which were designed with the “sandwich” technique. Additionally, the scroll ligament was completely preserved in the 2 variants of the technique. All patients who were included in the study were assessed with the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire before surgery and at their 1-year follow-up appointment. Results The median age of patients was 29.2 years (range, 19-49 years). The ROE scores ranged between 90 and 100 points after 1 year. The median score was 91.2 points, and this was significantly increased at the 1-year follow-up appointment (P = 0.002). Patient satisfaction was found to be excellent in 92% of the included patients. Patients were also evaluated in terms of functionality. The patients’ patency scores increased to 9.4 from 6.1 (out of 10) after a 12-month follow-up (P = 0.003). Conclusions This “sandwich” technique involves a combination of superior transposition flaps, superior-based sliding flaps, and alar strut grafts. Thus, patients who receive this treatment may also benefit from new flap techniques and vertical and longitudinal scroll ligament preservation. This new technique presents a novel and easy method for the reconstruction of severe alar concavities. Level of Evidence: 4