The Nasal Ligaments and Tip Support in Rhinoplasty: An Anatomical Study.

[BACKGROUND] In 1971, Janeke and Wright1 published a now classic study on the support of the nasal tip in which they found four areas of anatomic support. These findings led to the "tripod concept" of tip support. Recently, surgeons have begun repairing and/or preserving the nasal ligaments as a method to control tip projection and rotation. Therefore, a reassessment of the nasal ligaments and tip support is warranted.

[OBJECTIVES] The present study was done to investigate the ligamentous and structural support of the nasal tip. Clinically, surgeons are aware of the role of the nasal ligaments and are beginning to utilize tip suture techniques to achieve greater tip refinement and long-term support.

[METHODS] Anatomic studies were conducted on 24 fresh cadavers at the time of autopsy. The two groups consisted of the following: (1) group 1 included dissection of 10 cadavers concentrated on the various ligaments of the nose; and (2) group 2 involved dissections of 14 cadavers analyzing the relationship between the alar domes and the anterior septal angle (ASA).

[RESULTS] Regarding the ligaments of the nose, we were able to consistently identify the following ligaments: (1) interdomal; (2) intercrural; (3) Pitanguy's midline; (4) pyriform; and (5) a scroll ligament complex consisting of the longitudinal and vertical scroll ligaments. We did not find two commonly accepted ligaments: (1) a "footplate ligament" from the footplate of the medial crus to the caudal septum; and (2) a "sesamoid ligament" attachment from the accessory cartilage to the pyriform aperture. Dissections done to study the relationship between the domes and ASA revealed that the domes projected an average of 5.7 mm (range, 2.2-9.6 mm) above the ASA and were longitudinally 5.5 mm (range, 2.9-9.5 mm) caudal to the ASA. Thus, there was no direct support from the ASA to the domes.

[CONCLUSIONS] It is our recommendation that surgeons should consider preservation of the nasal ligaments whenever possible and utilize them to manipulate tip projection, position, and rotation. Awareness of the relationship between the dome and the caudal septum will hopefully minimize problems with the tongue-in-groove operation.