Lengthening the short nose with bilateral septal spreader graft and columellar strut

Abstract

Objective To investigate a safe and effective method of lengthening the short nose.Methods Thirty-nine cases of short nose were corrected by the bilateral septal spreader graft and columellar strut using autologous cartilage,combined with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE)to reconstruct the supporting structures to improve the forward and upward strength of the nasal tip in order to increase the nasal length and to correct the over rotation of nasal tip.The shield and cap grafts were also used for the patients whose nasal tip were too low with vertical dome division technique.Results All the patients showed preserved nasal length after surgery with well-proportioned nasal features and the nasal lip angles were normal.There was no evidence of postoperative nasal shortening.No operative or postoperative complications were observed by follow-up for 6 months to 1 year,except for 2 cases with graft cartilage being apparent on nasal tip.All the patients were satisfied with the surgical results achieved.Conclusions It is necessary to provide powerful forward and upward strength to lengthen nose and correct the over rotation of nasal tip effectively and safely.The application of bilateral septal spreader graft and columellar strut using autologous cartilage and combined with e-PTFE represents a valuable tool for the short nose and proper cartilage grafts of nasal tip can improve the height of the nasal tip and further correct the over rotation of the nasal tip. Key words: Short nose; Septal spreader graft; Rhinoplasty