Correction of the pinched nasal tip with alar spreader grafts

A pinched nasal tip is caused by collapsed alar rims secondary to weak lateral crura. The resulting deformity can be corrected with alar spreader grafts--autogenous grafts of septal or auricular cartilage that are inserted between and deep to the remaining lateral crura to force them apart, propping up the caved-in segment. We describe the surgical technique, indications, and variations in design of alar spreader grafts and present representative results from our series of 38 patients.