Seagull wing graft: a technique for the replacement of lower lateral cartilages

To present and evaluate outcomes with the seagull wing technique, which was designed to replace the lower lateral cartilages and to reconstruct the nasal tip.

The seagull wing technique is illustrated and described in detail. Sixty patients who underwent surgery 1981 and 2002 were retrospectively evaluated. A preoperative diagnosis of tip deformities was made based on photographs, which were compared with the postoperative results. Patient satisfaction was subjectively evaluated.

The postoperative results showed a significant statistical improvement in the following tip deformities: underprojected tip (P<.001), poorly defined tip (P<.001), alar retraction (P<.001), alar pinch (P<.001), overrotated tip (P<.001), and tip ptosis (P<.01). The average follow-up period was 14.6 months. Fifty-five patients (92%) stated that they were very satisfied with the surgical results; they required no additional revision surgery.

The seagull wing technique is a safe and efficient reconstructive treatment for the aesthetic and functional problems that were caused by the overresection of the nasal tip cartilaginous framework. The outcomes were pleasing, and the results were stable during the follow-up period. Patient satisfaction was high.