Modified treatment of the alar cartilages in primary rhinoplasty

ABSTRACT

Traditionally, the treatment of the alar cartilages in primary rhinoplasty consists of resection of the cranial portions of the lateral crura, leaving about 5 mm wide caudal remnants untouched. This approach is very effective and time proven, but in selected patients, in whom tip of the nose needs little (if any) cranial rotation, but must be narrowed, agressive resection of superomedial portions of the lateral crura seems unnecessary. In order to optimize the procedure, the authors suggest a modified treatment of the alar cartilages with conservation of greater portions of the superomedial lateral crura.