Free Crushed Cartilage Filler Graft to Optimize Tip Aesthetics in Asian Rhinoplasty

The thick skin and weak cartilages make tip rhinoplasty very challenging in Asian patients. Most require an open approach for structural grafting in order to achieve the desired projection and rotation. This need for substantial tip grafting may result in subtle imperfections that are only noticed as the incisions are closed.

This study describes the senior author's technique of free crushed cartilage filler graft to optimize nasal tip aesthetics in Asian rhinoplasty. The goal is to introduce this easy-to-use and effective technique to refine the final nasal tip aesthetic with immediate visual and tactile feedback.

This is a retrospective review of all patients with free crushed cartilage filler graft with at least 12 months of follow-up. Medical records were reviewed for patient demographics, intra-operative manoeuvres, and complications. Photographs were analysed to evaluate changes in nasal length, tip height, and nasolabial and columellar-labial angles as well as aesthetic complications.

Sixty-six patients were included in this study, with an average follow-up of 16.3 months. Nasal length was 8.3% greater than pre-op (P < 0.01), and nasal tip height was 12.7% greater than pre-op (P < 0.01). Aesthetic analysis demonstrated that 6.1% of patients had an amorphous tip, 3.0% had an irregular or asymmetric tip, and 4.5% had visible tip grafts. 12.1% of patients expressed aesthetic dissatisfaction, but none was recommended for or pursued revision surgery.

When used correctly, free crushed cartilage filler graft can improve the final tip aesthetic and help camouflage underlying prominences to give the patient a natural result.

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