Rhinoplasty: Considerations for Patients with Facial Paralysis

Nasal obstruction is a common sequela of flaccid facial paralysis but one that is often underaddressed surgically. Weakness of nasal musculature on the paralyzed side of the face leads to nasal valve narrowing through loss of static and dynamic nasal side wall tone as well as inferomedial displacement of the alar base. Standard rhinoplasty techniques such as alar batten grafts or flaring sutures may be used to support the nasal side wall in facial paralysis. However, to address the inferomedial alar displacement, suspension techniques are often required. Suture resuspension and fascia lata resuspension techniques are described, with modifications to each to improve longevity of the suspension.