• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2014

In patients having a short nose with a short septal length and/or severe columellar retraction, a septal extension graft is a good solution, as it allows the dome to move caudally and pushes down the columellar base. Fixing the medial crura of the alar cartilages to a septal extension graft leads to an uncomfortably rigid nasal tip and columella, and results in unnatural facial animation. Further, because of the relatively small and weak septal cartilage in the East Asian population, undercorrection of a short nose is not uncommon. To overcome these shortcomings, we have used the septal extension graft combined with a derotation graft. Among 113 patients who underwent the combined procedure, 82 patients had a short nose deformity alone; the remaining 31 patients had a short nose with columellar retraction. Thirty-two patients complained of nasal tip stiffness caused by a septal extension graft from previous operations. In addition to the septal extension graft, a derotation graft was used for bridging the gap between the alar cartilages and the septal extension graft for tip lengthening. Satisfactory results were obtained in 102 (90%) patients. Eleven (10%) patients required revision surgery. This combination method is a good surgical option for patients who have a short nose with small septal cartilages and do not have sufficient cartilage for tip lengthening by using a septal extension graft alone. It can also overcome the postoperative nasal tip rigidity of a septal extension graft.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2021

Background: Nasal septal cartilage is used to obtain favorable aesthetic and functional outcomes in rhinoplasty, but is often difficult to harvest or the harvested amount is insufficient. Therefore, the objective of this study is to introduce how to harvest septal cartilage optimally without losing and use harvested cartilage efficiently. Methods: From March 2015 to January 2020, we tried to harvest as much septal cartilage as possible while maintaining the L-strut in 30 patients. A spreader flap and septal rotation suture were used instead of a spreader graft. Also in patients who needed a spreader graft and septal extension graft, a spreader graft was used on one side and a one-piece spreader graft combined with a septal extension graft was performed on the other side. For tip plasty, a columella septal suture was performed first. Postoperative patient satisfaction was assessed using the Rhinoplasty Outcome Examination questionnaire. Results: No serious complications were observed. The patient satisfaction score was 50% or above in 27 patients (90%) and less than 50% in only three patients (10%). The average score was 81.5 points. Conclusion: For septal cartilage deficiency, a spreader flap, the septal rotation suture, or onepiece spreader graft combined with a septal extension graft was used. The nasal tip was sufficiently rotated using the columellar septal suture technique first. These techniques made it possible to obtain good aesthetic outcomes using only septal cartilage, without harvesting other cartilage.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2014

The septal extension graft is a very useful method of controlling nasal lengthening and tip projection, rotation, and shape by fixing a graft to the septum, which leads to a strong supporting structure. Enhancing graft stability is important for better long-term outcomes and minimizing complications or relapse, and even more efficient application of these methods is needed for East Asians who lack enough cartilage to be harvested in addition to possessing a weak cartilage framework. In this paper, the methods for overcoming the drawbacks of the septal extension graft, such as instability, a fixed tip, and insufficiency of cartilage, are presented, and the applications of each method for greater satisfaction with surgical outcomes are also discussed.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.38
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• pp.40.1-40.4
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• 2016

Background: This report describes the authors' experience of "melting" septal cartilage after placement of a septal extension graft in a nasopharyngeal cancer patient that had been previously undergone radiation therapy, and provides a review of the literature. Methods: Electronic medical records were used to obtain details of the patient's clinical history. Results: A 32-year-old woman, who had previously undergone radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal cancer, visited our department to for rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty was performed using a septal extension graft to raise the nasal tip (first operation). Five days after surgery, it was found that the septal extension graft was melting without any signs of infection, that is, the graft had softened, lost elasticity, thinned, and partially disappeared without any sign of infection at 5 days, and thus, the nasal tip was reconstructed with conchal cartilage (second operation). Five months after surgery, it was found that almost all septal cartilage had disappeared without any sign of infection, and thus, the entire nasal septum was reconstructed using 2-mm costal cartilage and an onlay graft was used for tip augmentation (third operation). Conclusions: After cartilage has been exposed to radiotherapy, its patency should be viewed with suspicion. Further studies are needed for determine the mechanism responsible for cartilage damage after radiotherapy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.3-11
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• 2014

Background This study aimed at overcoming the disadvantages of septal extension grafts and keeping the nasal tip as natural as possible by using different forms of the graft and additional supporting methods depending on the case. Methods Among 458 patients who received a septal extension graft from March 2008 to September 2011, 107 patients were selected who underwent at least a 6-month follow-up. Patients were categorized according to the primary objective of the operation; an upturned tip correction or tip lengthening, tip lengthening with tip projection, or retracted columella correction. Each group of patients received a different type of septal extension graft out of 3 different types of grafts based on the purpose of the operation. The evaluation of the results was made from by comparing preoperative and postoperative photographs of the tip angle, projection, and nasolabial angle. Results The average tip angle for the patients in the upturned tip correction group was reduced to 98.3 from 124.9 degrees. For the patients in the tip lengthening with tip projection group, the average tip angle was reduced to 96.8 from 122.4 degrees and the average tip projection was increased to 27.5 from 23.2 mm. The average nasolabial angle for the patients in the retracted columella correction group was increased to 94.6 from 74.8 degrees. Conclusions Sufficient nasal tip lengthening and projection could be achieved by applying a septal extension graft using the graft best suited for the group of patients categorized by surgical objective.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2014

Recently, in Korea, the septal extension graft from the septum or rib has become a common method of correcting a small or short nose. The success rate of this method has led to the blind faith that it provides superior tip projection and definition, and to the failure to notice its weaknesses. Even if there is a sufficient amount of cartilage, improper separation or fixation might waste the cartilage, resulting in an inefficient operation. Appropriate resection and effective fixation are essential factors for economical rhinoplasty. The septal extension graft is a remarkable procedure since it can control the nasal tip bidirectionally and three dimensionally. Nevertheless, it has a serious drawback since resection is responsible for septal weakness. Safe resection and firm reconstruction of the framework should be carried out. Operating on the basis of the principle of "safe harvest" and rebuilding the structures is important. Further, it is important to learn several techniques to manage septal weakness, insufficient cartilage quantity, and failure of the rigid frame during the surgery.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2010

Purpose: In Korean rhinoplasty, alloplasts such as silicone rubber have been used for dorsal and tip augmentations. However, alloplasts have produced complications such as deviation, exposure, and infection. Although autogenous tissue is an ideal material, the amount of the cartilage in Korean is not sufficient. Therefore, the authors developed a method to harvest the maximum amount of the septal and conchal cartilage. The authors first performed a complete septal extension graft for short and retruded columella and then performed nasal augmentation using various autogenous tissues. Methods: These surgical techniques were performed on 11 patients. Their average age was 27 years. An open approach with a V-shaped columellar labial incision was performed. At first, the complete septal extension graft was fixed on the entire caudal margin of the septum, and the alar cartilage was suspended to the septal extension graft to make the tip projected and the columella advanced caudally. A temporal fascial ball was used for radix augmentation. For dorsal augmentation, a batten-shaped septal cartilage graft wrapped with or without the temporal fascia or a diced cartilage graft wrapped with the temporal fascia was performed. For nasal tip augmentation, a shield graft and a cap graft or a folded conchal cartilage graft was performed.Results: The mean follow-up period was 11.2 months. The overall results were natural and satisfactory. Two patients underwent slight absorption and caudal displacement. With the exception of these cases, no complications were observed. Conclusion: Korean rhinoplastic surgeons are accustomed to using the alloplasts despite of serious complications. When rhinoplasty using autogenous tissue was performed, some complications occurred such as the displacement of the diced cartilage graft wrapped with the fascia, but many of the complications of alloplastic rhinoplasty were avoided. Therefore, we propose that by this time Korean rhinoplastic surgeons need to change their preference from alloplastic rhinoplasty to autogenous rhinoplasty.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.400-408
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• 2010

Purpose: Complete septal extension grafts have been widely used in rhinoplasty for effective projection of the short retruded columella in Asian patients. Autologous septal cartilages and porous high-density polyethylene sheets are frequently used as septal extension grafts. This study was conducted to compare the postoperative results of porous polyethylene sheets and septal cartilages used for correction of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities by using photogrammetric analysis. Methods: This study investigated a total of 49 patients with cleft lip nasal deformities who underwent corrective surgery, and were followed up for at least 6 months. Septal cartilages were used in 39 patients, and porous polyethylene sheets were used in 10 patients. In all patients, through the open rhinoplasty, complete septal extension grafts were sutured to the caudal margin of the septal cartilage, and the alar cartilage was sutured with suspension. The cleft side alar cartilage was overcorrected by approximately 3 - 5 mm. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated by using photogrammetric analysis. Five indices and 4 angles were measured on their photographs taken before and after the surgery. In patients with unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities, symmetry was also evaluated by means of columellar length index. Results: The postoperative values obtained in photogrammetric analysis showed improvements in comparison with the preoperative ones. The polyethylene group produced more improved outcomes than the septal cartilage group but also resulted in more complications at the same time. Conclusion: The results of this study indicates that complete septal extension grafts are efficient for the correction of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformities. However, since postoperative complications occur more frequently in the polyethylene group than in the septal cartilage group, caution is advised in using porous high-density polyethylene sheets in patients with cleft lip nasal deformities.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.681-687
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• 2006

Purpose: The nose of most Koreans is characterized as a low nasal dorsum, retracted columella, and an acute columella-labial angle. For the surgical correction of the tip and columella, a modified septal extension graft, along with augmentation rhinoplasty has been developed. Methods: With this technique, a septal extension graft is fixed on the entire caudal margin of the septum (the cephalic-caudal axis) and at the same time, it is placed above the anterior nasal spine, in the membranous portion of the septum and at the base of the columella(the anterior-posterior axis). The present report describes the results obtained in 13 patients and offers an analysis of the results as judged by the columella-labial angle and 4 proportional indices(nose height index, nasal bridge length index, nasal tip projection index, columella length index), measured by photogrammetry. Results: The postoperative values obtained in these 5 categories increased significantly compared to the preoperative ones, thus confirming that the projection of tip was augmented, the nose was lengthened, and the columella was advanced caudally and lengthened. Moreover, these positive outcomes were still maintained during the follow-up period, and no side effects, such as saddle nose deformity, were reported. Conclusion: A modified septal extension graft can be considered as an effective method for the surgical correction of the nasal tip and columella in Koreans.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.376-382
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• 2011

Purpose: In patients with unilateral cleft lip and nose deformity, alar retraction is commonly seen on the non-cleft side after cleft side is corrected. Spacer graft was used to drag down the inferior border of the alar cartilage of the non-cleft side so as to match the cleft side. By performing spacer graft and septal extension graft together, symmetry and cosmetic improvements were achieved. Methods: Seven unilateral cleft lip and nose deformity patients underwent surgery for alar retraction correction. The median age was 24 years (ranged from 15 to 34 years), and the median follow-up period was 7.4 months (ranged from 6 to 12 months). The perpendicular length from the longitudinal axis of the nostril to the alar rim, the nasolabial angle and the ala-labial angle were measured in the lateral view photo. The longest perpendicular length from the cephalic border of the alar rim to the parallel line of the alar base was measured in the frontal view photo. Results: Improvement in alar retraction was seen after the surgery. There were no specific complications during the follow-up and the symmetry of both nostrils was satisfactory. No increase in the nasolabial angle or exposure of the nostrils was seen after the tip projection via tip plasty. Conclusion: The fundamental factor in correcting alar retraction with secondary cleft lip and nose deformity is repositioning the alar rim with spacer graft, which seems to be more physiologic than other methods. The method combining spacer graft with septal extension graft will bring symmetry as well as more cosmetic improvement in correction of alar retraction with secondary cleft lip and nose deformity.