The Fate of Calvarial Bone Graft in Nasal Tip Plasty Patients Followed Up for Over 10 Years

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: In order to maintain corrected nasal tip projection, strong support is important. Authors used calvarial bone graft method for this purpose. Patients were followed up about permanency of the bone graft for a long time. METHODS: From 1995 to 1998, author performed calvarial bone graft on 30 adult patients with secondary cleft lip and nose deformity. Patients were observed for 34 months. There were no specific complications, and results were satisfactory. We could confirm the permanence of the calvarial bone graft in 3 patients by photography and radiologic studies for 10 years follow-up. RESULTS: None of the patients showed size change or displacement. But the portion of graft facing the tip was absorbed resulting in loss of tip projection and short nose in two patients. One patient had fracture on the middle of the graft. This caused depression from lower portion of the dorsum to the tip. CONCLUSION: Despite of autogenous grafts such as calvarial bone, absorption of the bone may occur when compressed with tension for a long period. And the graft in the nasal tip not having any contact with the nasal bone may cause absorption of the graft.