Alar Flare Preservation Using the Sandwich Technique as an Adjunct to Alar Base Reduction

Achieving an aesthetic balance and natural appearance when modifying soft tissues of the nasal tip, alae, and nostrils is fundamental to the success of rhinoplasty surgery. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of a simple "sandwich" technique combined with external alar base reduction to preserve the alar flare and achieve a natural and appealing alar contour.

The study included 40 patients who reported dissatisfaction due to excessive nasal flaring. Cartilaginous grafts were harvested from the septum in cases of primary rhinoplasty. Grafts were harvested from the conchal cartilage in cases of secondary rhinoplasty to ensure adequacy of the grafts. The grafts were inserted from the alar wedge excision point along the created pocket to be "sandwiched" in the soft tissue of the alar rim.

The average preoperative alar flare was 35.2 mm (SD ±1.9 mm), with an average postoperative reduction of 3 mm. Difference between intercanthal distance and postoperative alar flare distance showed a mean of (-0.4 mm) (SD ±1.2 mm) and was highly significant with P < 0.05. A comparison between nasal base width and alar flare measurements was done. Difference between nasal base width and preoperative alar flare distance was (-9.2 mm) (SD ±2.6), and between nasal base width and postoperative alar flare was (-6.3 mm) (SD ±2.1). Postoperatively, overall patient satisfaction was scored 4.1 of 5.

The use of a trapezoidal graft, in combination with external alar base reduction, markedly improves the basal view while maintaining the natural alar flare and curvature.