The Comparison Between Alar Cartilage Shortening and Columellar-Septal Suture Techniques in Nasal Tip Rotation

Abstract

Background: One of the main operative goals achieved with tip surgery is to reach the ideal nasolabial angle. The main purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of alar cartilage vertical incision and shortening (ACS) and columellar-septal suture (CSS) techniques on the nasolabial angle.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 2 groups were examined: the patients in the first group were operated on using vertical alar cartilage incision and shortening, and the patients in the second group were operated on using columellar-septal cartilage suture. Postoperative photographs between the 2 groups were compared with respect to nasolabial angle differences. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 20.

Results: In the postoperative evaluation, 50% of ACS and 72.5% of CSS groups had achieved desired clinical outcomes. Although the efficacy of the CSS group was found to be superior to that of the ACS group, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Greater nasolabial angle was gained using the CSS technique; however, the risk for overrotation was higher in the CSS group.

Conclusions: Both ACS and CSS techniques provide reliable reconstructive option for nasolabial angle modifications. More predictable results were obtained with the ACS technique. The CSS technique is a versatile way of nasolabial angle alteration, but there is a higher risk for overrotation.