Lengthening of Short Noses

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lengthening of short noses is one of the therapeutic dilemmas in facial plastic surgery. Aesthetically, short noses are characterized by a decreased distance from the root of the nose to the tip-defining point, and this extends less than one third the vertical height of the face. Also, concavity of the dorsum, a low and deep nasion, an overprojected tip, and an obtuse nasolabial angle of the nose will give a shortened appearance. Considering aesthetical and facial analytic factors, we discuss three techniques for the correction of this problem and propose useful procedure for the desired effect of lengthening in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have experienced eleven cases of lengthening of the short nose during the last 2 years. We categorized these patients into three groups according to nasolabial angle and tip projection which make a distribution in selecting procedure. On-lay graft on the caudal margin of the lower lateral cartilage is used to the patients with mild overrotated tip and proper nasal projection. Cartilage graft between the caudal septum and the lower lateral cartilge combined with on-lay graft on the caudal margin of the lower lateral cartilage is used to the patients with moderately overrotated tip. Full-length dorsal augmentation is applied to the patients with severely overroatated tip and problematic tip projection. RESULTS: We used three techniques aimed at the correction of the short nose. These techniques treated short nose patients and we obtained effective substantial lengthening results in this study. CONCLUSION: Aesthetical and facial analytic factors must be considered in properly selecting a procedure to lengthen the short nose.