Correction of Notching Deformity of Soft Triangle Using V-Y Advancement Flap after Rhinoplasty

ABSTRACT

Soft triangle of nose is composed of only two skin layer between dome of alar cartilage and nostril. If soft triangle is damaged in rhinoplasty, the notching deformity can be caused by scar contracture. For correction of notching deformity, some methods such as composite graft or filler injection have been introduced, however these methods have some disadvantages like need for donor site or unpredictable long term results. We could correct notching deformity of soft triangle with V-Y advancement flap on the vestibular skin with great ease. Our method was undergone for 3 patients with notching deformity among 120 patients who had rhinoplasty during from March 2004 to February 2007 in our clinic. The elapse of time to definitive deformity was mean 2 months and the corrective procedure was performed 4 months later after formation of definitive deformity. Under the local anesthesia, the triangular flap proximally based was designed on the vestibular skin and this flap was sutured in V-Y fashion. There was no complication and no recurrence. This method is thought to be very useful because of some advantages easy controlling advancement of flap according to the severity of deformity, no need for donor site, predictable outcome, and economic.