The effect of lateral crural overlay surgical technique on elasticity of nasal ala.

[INTRODUCTION] The nasal tip refinement is the most difficult stages of rhinoplasty surgery; whereas, the most important part in terms of beauty and performance is the projection refinement. Lateral crural overlay (LCO) is a common technique in rhinoplasty used to reduce nasal tip projection and increase nasal tip rotation. Given the important role of lower lateral cartilage (LLC) in the non-collapse of nasal external valve and air passage, it is necessary to evaluate the changes in nasal elasticity caused by surgery.

[MATERIALS AND METHOD] The design of this quasi experimental study was self-control (before-after). Tip plasty was performed on twenty-four samples (12 cases of rhinoplasty) using LCO technique. To examine the elasticity, the strain index of each ala was measured by a mechanical device, invented by the author, before and after the operation.

[RESULTS] Out of 24 samples 12 were female and 12 were male. The mean strain index of nasal ala before and after the surgery was 0.24 ± 0.046 and 0.19 ± 0.040 respectively (P < 0.001). The mean strain index of nasal ala before and after surgery for female was 0.27 ± 0.046 and 0.20 ± 0.050 respectively (P = 0.004). For male, it was 0.20 ± 0.018 before and 0.18 ± 0.020 after the surgery. (P < 0.001).

[CONCLUSION] Using LCO surgical technique for nasal tip refinement can lead to nasal elasticity increase regardless of gender; although, LLC is cut during implementing this technique.