Correction fo the Short Nose: Relocation of the Alar Cartilge Using Silicone Implants

Short nose is characterized by decreased distance from the nasion to tip defining point and increased nasolabial angle with increased nostril show. Lengthening the short nose is arguably the most difficult operation in aesthetic rhinoplasty. We have described here a simple and easy technique that lengthen the short nose by using silicone implant has been popular among Asian for augmentation rhinoplasty. Through open rhinoplastic approach, wide undermining of the nasal skin is performed to allow redraping of the skin over the lengthened skeletal framework without excessive tension. Alar cartilage is released from upper lateral cartilage and relocated caudally. After relocation of alar cartilage, silicone implant is inserted in subperiosteal pocket and immobilized by nonabsorbable suture material at dorsal aspect of septal cartilage. Narrow caudal end of implant is sutured between medial crura of alar cartilage which were caudally rotated. This implant not only raise the nasion but can move the tip-defining point caudally by keeping the alar cartilage in new position. Tip graft is done with conchal cartilage. We have got the satisfactory result in cosmetic aspect without any complications.

A clinical and statistical analysis of the facial bone fractures: From 1994 to 1998

This retrospective study comprised patiens with facial bone fractures in various accidents and treated in the department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pildong hospital, Chung Ang university during the past 5 years from January 1994 to December 1998. The medical records of these patients (fractures) were reviewed and analysed in order to gain insight into a clinical pattern and understnad the therapeutic modalities. The following results were obtained: 1. The monthly incidence was highest in August and most common accident time was between 6:00 p.m and midnight. 2. The mean age of patients was 28.3 years, and age range was 3 to 69 years. The most prevalent age group was the third decade of life (42.9%). Males predominated more than female in the ratio of 4.1:1. 3. The most common etiology was assault (29.6%) followed by traffic accidents (28.5%), fall (23.1%), sports (7.9%). 4. 369 facial fractures in 277 patients were classifed. The most common sites were nasal bone, followed by zygoma, mandible, maxilla, orbit. 5. Associated soft tissue injuries were combined in 168 patients (60.6%), and fractures other than facial bone were developed in 61 patients (22%). 6. Treatment of facial bone fracture consisted of open reduction (42.6%), closed reduction (40.1%), and conservative treatment (17.3%). 7. The complication rate was 11.6% and the most common complication was the eye problem.