Clinical application of autologous auricular cartilage in nasal tip plasty

Abstract

Objective To observe and discuss the application and clinical effect of different forms of ear cartilage in nasal tip plasty. Methods Auricular cartilage was used to prune it as " halberd" shape at first, and then the extended transplantation and the cartilage fornix reconstruction were carried out by using single or combined septum cartilage. Meanwhile, nasal tip plasty was performed by using " cap shape" or " shield shape" cartilage grafting. Results 136 patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months after operation. 119 cases were satisfied, accounting for 87.5%, of which 11 cases (ear cartilage weakness) were not improved obviously, accounting for 8%. However, there were only 6 cases with the unsatisfactory feedback as the nasal tip that was decreased by 1~2 mm one year after the operation, accounting for 4.41%. Conclusions The auricular cartilage is pruned as " halberd" shape singly or combined with septal cartilage as an extended graft, reconstructing the cartilage fornix in the meantime, which is the way better than the traditional way of making nasal tip plasty to obtain the ideal nasal tip protrusion. Key words: Rhinoplasty; Ear cartilage; Autografts; Halberd shape; Cartilage fornix reconstruction