Split Cartilage Resection of Nasal Dome: A Solution to Ptotic Nasal Tips.

OBJECTIVE: In ptotic noses, it is rather difficult to achieve the intended functional and cosmetic result without modifying the alar cartilage and creating a new nasal tip. The split cartilage resection method was intended to create a new and permanent nasal tip to protect the physiologic and cosmetic appearance of the nose in the presence of long and ptotic nasal tip.

METHOD: A total of 53 patients who had nasal tip ptosis were included in the study: 26 patients (Group 1) who underwent lateral crural overlap because of the alar cartilage problem and 27 patients (Group 2) who underwent dome split cartilage resection. After at least 1 year of follow-up, the pre- and postoperative measurements of patients indicating their rotations and projections in their computerized images were compared and acoustic rhinometry was performed to determine the nasal valve function.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with respect to the pre- and postoperative nasolabial angels, rotation angles, Goode index, and nasofacial angle. There were no significant differences between the nasal cavity volume values of the 2 groups; the volume increase in wide nasal cavity in Group 2 was higher. After the operation, the increase in minimum cross-sectional area values in Group 2 was significantly >1 in Group 1.

CONCLUSIONS: The nasal tip split resection method is a method that can be implemented and should be kept in mind as a technique, which must be considered as an alternative method for noses with ptotic and long nasal tip disorder.