Comparing the Effects of Tongue-In-Groove and Septocolumellar Suture With Short and Floating Columellar Strut of Open Rhinoplasty on Nasal Tip Rotation and Projection.

[PURPOSE] In rhinoplasty, it is important to maintain the desired tip projection and rotation. The aim of the present study was to compare the tongue-in-groove (TIG) method and the septocolumellar suture method with short and floating columellar strut methods over a six-month follow-up period.

[METHODS] A total of 69 patients were evaluated. The TIG method was used on 39 patients (group 1, TIG group), and the remaining 30 patients received septocolumellar suture supported with short and floating columellar strut (group 2, suture + graft group). Standardized right profile images were taken preoperatively and 6 months after the operations. Goode's method and nasofacial angle were used to evaluate nasal tip projection, and the nasolabial angle was measured to evaluate tip rotation. The outcomes of the 2 surgical approaches were compared, and P values lower than 0.05 were considered significant.

[RESULTS] Although nasal tip rotation in the postoperative sixth month was higher than that in the preoperative period in both groups (TIG: 96.8° vs 108.2° and suture + graft: 100.8° vs 104.2°, respectively), this change was significant only in the TIG group (P < .001). Goode's ratio increased significantly in both groups compared with the postoperative period (TIG: 0.62 vs 0.57 and suture + graft: 0.62 vs 0.58; P < .001 and .047, respectively). On the other hand, nasofacial angle decreased significantly in both groups compared with the postoperative period (TIG: 147.8° vs 144.0° and suture + graft: 149.1° vs 146.3°; P < .001).

[CONCLUSIONS] As per the results of the present study, both studied methods can be safely used in nasal tip surgery. Compared with the septocolumellar suture + columellar strut method, the TIG method resulted in a higher rotation increase. Both methods led to significant increases in projection, and these increases did not differ between the groups.