Cadaveric Assessment of the Butterfly Graft in Rhinoplasty
Benjamin P Brownlee1, Adam Hassoun1, Aniruddha Parikh1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
The Laryngoscope
|October 14, 2023
Summary
Thinning the butterfly graft by 50% for rhinoplasty maintains its strength. This ensures the graft effectively stabilizes the internal nasal valve (INV) without compromising patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Biomechanical Engineering
- Rhinology
Background:
- The butterfly graft is crucial for improving the internal nasal valve (INV) in rhinoplasty.
- Post-operative visibility of the butterfly graft is a concern.
- Intraoperative thinning techniques exist but their effect on graft functionality is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the aesthetic modification of butterfly grafts without adverse patient outcomes.
- To determine the biomechanical impact of graft contouring.
Main Methods:
- Cadaveric cartilage grafts were analyzed in their native and thinned states.
- Biomechanical properties were examined by measuring forces required to stabilize the INV.
- Resistance forces of native, partially thinned, and fully thinned grafts were recorded.
Main Results:
- Native grafts averaged 1.64 mm thickness; fully thinned grafts averaged 0.84 mm.
- Native grafts provided a mean force of 0.74 N; fully thinned grafts provided 0.60 N (p=0.016).
- The force required to stabilize the INV was 0.15 N (right) and 0.19 N (left).
Conclusions:
- Butterfly grafts can be thinned by approximately 50% while retaining sufficient strength.
- Thinned butterfly grafts effectively stabilize the internal nasal valve (INV).
