Comparative clinical study with a novel technique for stabilization of the nasal tip projection and rotation: fixation of the septum and the strut graft through the septal cartilage autoextension

Purpose It is important to reinforce nasal tip support for long-term satisfactory results. Two workhorses of tip support are strut grafting and the tongue-in-groove technique. Tongue-in-groove causes retraction and stiffness; the strut causes loss of rotation and projection of tip. We introduced a novel technique that avoids these consequences. Methods Between February 2018-February 2019, 40 female underwent primary rhinoplasty. Mean age: 27 years (18-41 years). Follow-up:1-2 years. In first group (20 patients), caudal septum was resected and strut was not fixated to caudal septum. In second group (20 patients), tongue-like extension (septal autoextension) was preserved at caudal septum and sutured to strut. Preoperative, peroperative, and postoperative images were compared. Results Tip projection ratio calculations, nasolabial angle measurements were evaluated by statistical analyses. The change in projection ratios between peroperative period and 1-year postoperative period of strut-only group was higher than septal autoextension group (p = 0.001). This result indicates that nasal tip projection loss in strut-only group was higher compared to septal autoextension group. The change in nasolabial angle measurements from peroperative period to 1-year postoperative period differed significantly between two groups (p = 0.001). Significant difference was observed between 1-year postoperative nasolabial angle measurements of two groups (p = 0.006); septal autoextension group measurements were higher than strut-only group. These results showed that fixation of strut graft to the septal autoextension provides better preservation of the nasolabial angle and stabilization of nasal tip projection. Conclusion Fixation of septum and strut graft through septal autoextension provides satisfactory stabilization of tip projection and rotation without stiffness or rigidity.