Supratip-plasty: a completely cartilaginous tip complex to maintain nasal tip width

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Facial Aesthetic Surgery
• Rhinoplasty Techniques

Background:

• Post-primary rhinoplasty, nasal tip widening can occur due to lateral crus splaying.
• A broad nasal tip presents a common aesthetic challenge in rhinoplasty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the "supratip-plasty" technique for preventing nasal tip broadening.
• To create a stable, all-cartilaginous nasal tip framework resistant to postoperative changes.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 13 primary rhinoplasty patients with broad tips underwent supratip-plasty.
• The technique involves preserving and reshaping the cephalic lateral crus, securing it to the septum.
• Nasal tip width (TW) to nasal base width (NBW) ratios were compared pre- and postoperatively, and to an unoperated control group.

Main Results:

• 12 out of 13 patients achieved good aesthetic outcomes.
• The mean TW/NBW ratio decreased significantly from 0.68 preoperatively to 0.53 postoperatively.
• Postoperative TW/NBW ratios were comparable to the aesthetic control group (0.48).

Conclusions:

• The supratip-plasty technique effectively creates a cartilaginous nasal tip framework that resists postoperative widening.
• Preserving and contouring the lateral crus provides stability and predictable aesthetic results.
• This method offers a reliable solution for managing broad nasal tips in primary rhinoplasty.