Comparative Analysis and Long-Term Results of Various Septal Extension Graft Types

Shape, tip projection, and position can be controlled by the use of septal extension grafts (SEG). A retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing primary and secondary rhinoplasty was reviewed. The purpose of this study was to analyze maintenance of nasal length, dorsal length, and nasolabial angle postoperatively comparing different types of SEG using standardized photography and digital measurement. Two-hundred twenty-one patients undergoing rhinoplasty were included. There was a statistically significant change regarding the nasolabial angle during the time of follow-up decreasing from 97.53 to 95.30 degrees. No changes could be found in dorsal and nasal length. There was no significant difference among the techniques used to fixate the SEG. The nasolabial angle appeared to decrease from the position 2 weeks postoperatively without changes in the dorsal and nasal length. This means that the decrease in the nasolabial angle depends on the swelling effect and not on drooping of the tip confirming the reliability of SEG over time.