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CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2016; 43(06): 564-569
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2016.43.6.564
Original Article

Simple Correction of Alar Retraction by Conchal Cartilage Extension Grafts

Yong Jun Jang
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Sung Min Kim
Imi Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery Clinic, Seoul, Korea
,
Dae Hyun Lew
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
,
Seung Yong Song
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Background Alar retraction is a challenging condition in rhinoplasty marked by exaggerated nostril exposure and awkwardness. Although various methods for correcting alar retraction have been introduced, none is without drawbacks. Herein, we report a simple procedure that is both effective and safe for correcting alar retraction using only conchal cartilage grafting.

Methods Between August 2007 and August 2009, 18 patients underwent conchal cartilage extension grafting to correct alar retraction. Conchal cartilage extension grafts were fixed to the caudal margins of the lateral crura and covered with vestibular skin advancement flaps. Preoperative and postoperative photographs were reviewed and analyzed. Patient satisfaction was surveyed and categorized into 4 groups (very satisfied, satisfied, moderate, or unsatisfied).

Results According to the survey, 8 patients were very satisfied, 9 were satisfied, and 1 considered the outcome moderate, resulting in satisfaction for most patients. The average distance from the alar rim to the long axis of the nostril was reduced by 1.4 mm (3.6 to 2.2 mm). There were no complications, except in 2 cases with palpable cartilage step-off that resolved without any aesthetic problems.

Conclusions Conchal cartilage alar extension graft is a simple, effective method of correcting alar retraction that can be combined with aesthetic rhinoplasty conveniently, utilizing conchal cartilage, which is the most similar cartilage to alar cartilage, and requiring a lesser volume of cartilage harvest compared to previously devised methods. However, the current procedure lacks efficacy for severe alar retraction and a longer follow-up period may be required to substantiate the enduring efficacy of the current procedure.

Keywords

Ear cartilage - Nose - Rhinoplasty - Transplants


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 09. Mai 2016

Angenommen: 20. September 2016

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
20. April 2022

© 2016. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, permitting unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

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