Precise anatomical study of rhinoplasty: description of a novel method and application to the lateral crural steal.

[IMPORTANCE] The prediction of nasal tip position in terms of projection, rotation, and length is a major challenge in rhinoplasty. Studies using preoperative and postoperative photographs lack accuracy owing to variable position, and computer-simulated models lack clinical applicability.

[OBJECTIVES] (1) To describe an accurate and reproducible technique to study the effect of surgical manipulations on the nasal tip; and (2) to describe the effect on the nasal tip cartilages of the lateral crural steal (LCS).

[DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS] Cadaveric study in a tertiary hospital center using 10 cadaveric specimens.

[INTERVENTIONS] Heads were placed in a Mayfield head holder, and a 12.2-megapixel camera was fixed on a tripod in a perfectly still position and focused on the surgical field during all surgical manipulations. An external rhinoplasty approach was performed for all specimens, and a 4-mm LCS was achieved.

[MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES] Measures include tip projection, tip rotation, and nasal length using preoperative and postoperative photographs.

[RESULTS] Our method was successfully performed on all specimens: LCS resulted in a significant mean increase in projection using the Goode ratio (mean, 0.05; P = .005) and rotation (mean, 13.2°; P = .005). However, absolute tip projection variation was inconsistent, ranging from -1.0 mm to 0.6 mm. Nasal length was significantly shortened in all cases (mean, 1.3 mm, P = .005).

[CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE] We describe the first technique for precise anatomical study of tip position in rhinoplasty on cadaveric specimens. This technique was successfully applied to 10 consecutive nasal tips. We have shown a significant increase in projection using the Goode ratio and rotation with LCS. However, the effect on absolute projection is inconsistent.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE] NA.