Combined silicone implant and cartilage grafts for augmentation rhinoplasty

Silicone implants are widely used in Asia for nasal dorsal augmentation. Meanwhile, autologous cartilage grafts are the most preferred materials for tip surgery. In order to minimize the drawbacks of silicone implants, combined silicone implant and cartilage grafts were introduced for augmentation rhinoplasty. In this work, augmentation rhinoplasty technique using combined silicone implant and cartilage grafts are reported. Forty-six patients underwent dorsal and tip augmentation using this technique. The outcomes were satisfactory in 45 patients. Bilateral marginal incisions were used without transcolumellar incision. By suturing the silicone nasal implant with a shield cartilage graft, a new complex was achieved. Assisted with a columellar strut either sutured to the complex or not, the new complex could provide improved dorsal height and tip projection with low complication rate in augmentation rhinoplasty.