Evaluation and treatment of vertical microgenia

To evaluate treatment of vertical microgenia in patients with chin deformities.

Twenty-one patients were included in this retrospective review. The 3 authors performed a lengthening genioplasty with or without interpositional grafting on each patient in either an academic or a private practice setting.

Subjective analysis suggests a substantial improvement of lower face aesthetics in all patients. The degree of subjective change depended on the type of deformity, whether there was vertical microgenia alone or in combination with a sagittal (horizontal) deficiency, and the morphologic characteristics of the labiomental sulcus. There were no significant complications.

Vertical lengthening of the chin should be considered in patients with the combination of a vertically short lower facial height, deepened labiomental fold, recessive chin, and recessive and/or procumbent lower lip.