Nasal tip augmentation in Asians using autogenous cartilage

OBJECTIVES: To present surgical techniques and results of nasal tip augmentation in Asian noses and suggest a surgical algorithm for a successful outcome. STUDY DESIGN: A case series at a tertiary hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred and seven patients who had undergone nasal tip augmentation using autogenous cartilages from January 2005 to December 2006 were enrolled in the study. Medical records, graphic operation records, and standardized patient photographs were retrospectively reviewed. Initial diagnoses, techniques for tip augmentation, combined tip surgery techniques, surgical results, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Initial diagnoses included deviated nose, hump nose, saddle nose, low-profile nose. and short nose. An external approach was used in 74 percent and intranasal approach in 26 percent. For augmentation of the tip projection, onlay grafts with or without columellar strut (59%) and septal extension grafts with or without onlay grafts (25%) were the most commonly used techniques. Ninety-three percent of the patients were satisfied with the results. Complications included tip deviation and visible tip graft. CONCLUSION: Augmentation of nasal tip projection in Asians can be effectively performed using autogenous cartilage. Onlay graft and septal extension graft are two important techniques for a Successful Outcome.