Secondary rhinoplasty of the Asian nose: correction of the contracted nose.

Abstract

The contracted nose is a unique entity that follows primary rhinoplasty in the Asian patient. The proposed reasons for this complication are capsular contraction from a silicone nasal implant, pressure necrosis of the lower lateral cartilage resulting from the nasal implant, and infection after alloplastic implantation. The two principal anatomic constituents that must be addressed at the time of secondary rhinoplasty are the lower lateral cartilages and the skin envelope. The lower lateral cartilages should be derotated, projected, and transfixed with an extended spreader graft. Additional onlay grafting may be required to provide greater nasal tip derotation and projection. A transcolumellar incision situated at the columellar-labial angle permits undermining of the upper lip skin to release tension on the incision. If the nasal tip retraction is severe, then the skin envelope may be insufficient to provide coverage to the new cartilaginous framework. In this case, a paramedian forehead flap is recommended to provide adequate tissue coverage. Correction of alar-columellar disparity should be undertaken with composite grafting only after 6 months have transpired to gauge the ultimate relation between the alae and columella. Infection that arises after correction of the contracted nose can be devastating. It should be treated aggressively, but tailored to the severity of the infection. Wound tension along the columella may predispose to skin necrosis and consequent cartilage exposure, which should be managed in turn with prostaglandin emollients to accelerate wound healing and to prevent infection.