Alar Cartilage Used as Tip Grafts in Secondary Silicone Augmentation Rhinoplasty in Chinese Patients

Abstract

To introduce the use of alar cartilage as tip grafts in secondary silicone augmentation rhinoplasty in Chinese patients and to assess its short-term results in nasal tip modification. Eight Chinese patients who were not satisfied with a primary silicone augmentation rhinoplasty because of unimproved short nose, less projection, and bad nasal tip definition were treated with this method. The lateral crura were transected from the caudal ends, turned over, placed on the implanted silicone, and sutured together. Photo documentations were obtained before and after surgery, and a questionnaire was used for the evaluation of short-term patient satisfaction. After a mean follow-up period of 15 months, all 8 patients showed an increased nose length, tip projection, and improved tip contour. Seven thought the results were excellent, and 1 thought the results were good. The outcomes remained unchanged over time. No complications or nasal deformities were noted. The use of alar cartilage as tip grafts provides a new option for Chinese patients who were dissatisfied with primary silicone augmentation rhinoplasty, specially those with short nose, less projection, and bad nasal tip definition.