Fine-Tuning of the Supratip in Rhinoplasty: An External Approach

Supratip deformity, also known as the pollybeak deformity, accounts for one of the most common iatrogenic deformities requiring revision surgery in rhinoplasty. We aimed to present a novel technique to prevent supratip deformity and increase the tip definition, especially in patients with thick skin.

A total of eighty-three patients were included in the study. In control group, thirty-three consecutive patients with thick skin underwent structured primary rhinoplasty without any additional maneuvers. In study group, thirty-one consecutive patients with thick skin underwent the same operation with an additional "External supratip suture (ESS)." Nineteen patients with moderate skin were also operated using the ESS to accentuate the supratip break and control the soft tissue response. Patients' supratip regions were analyzed with reference to a tangent line from the tip defining point to the nasion. Two independent blinded plastic surgeons rated the supratip aesthetics on a 5-point scale.

The ESS maneuver had better results in the supratip region according to the two parameters which were statistically significant (p < 0.05). No ischemic complications were observed.

This simple and reliable external approach is a powerful maneuver which can be an effective technique not only in patients with thick skin, but also in moderate skin patients who requires better supratip definition. It enables surgeon to reduce the nasal volume efficiently in patients with noncompliant skin by controlling skin redraping by adhering to Auersvald's hemostatic net principles. We believe that this approach will find a place in the armamentarium of rhinosurgeons.

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