Intranasal Approach for Manipulating the Depressor Septi Nasi

Abstract

A hyperactivated depressor septi nasi is an important factor contributing to nasal tip drooping. Although many studies have examined this, its treatment remains controversial. This study presents a surgical intervention based on an anatomic study.Ten fresh cadavers with large noses were used for the anatomic study. Between April 2008 and September 2010, 20 patients underwent surgical intervention for hyperactivated depressor septi nasi.In all of the cadaver dissections, the depressor septi nasi was present, although it was difficult to identify the muscle clearly in 6 of the cadavers. We found that the depressor septi nasi in the other 4 cadavers consisted of 3 fascicles. The medial fascicles were divided into superficial and deep fibers. Both the deep and superficial fibers were inserted into the dermocartilaginous ligament in the nearby nasal tip. After the superficial fibers were interdigitated with the orbicularis oris, they originated from the alveolar bone. The deep fibers originated at the anterior nasal spine. The intermediate fascicles inserted to the footplates of the medial crus and caudal septum. After interdigitating with the medial fascicles and orbicularis oris, they also originated from the alveolar bone. The drooping nasal tips were improved in all cases using an intranasal approach to manipulate the depressor septi nasi. No specific complication was seen. Surgical intervention of a hyperactivated depressor septi nasi using an intranasal approach was a useful method for correcting a drooping nasal tip.