"The Jigsaw Puzzle Locking Technique" to Augment the Stabilization between the Septal Cartilage and Extension Graft
Aret Çerçi Özkan1, Erol Kozanoğlu2, Ahmet Mert Bilgili3
1Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Private Practice Istanbul, Zuhuratbaba, İncirli Avenue, Bayrak Apartment, İncirli, Bakırköy, Istanbul, Turkey. aretmd@hotmail.com.
Introduction:
Nasal tip stability is crucial for long-lasting results. Usage of the extension graft is one of the most reliable stabilization techniques. With a septum in the midline, the extension graft is fixed end to end. The "jig-saw puzzle technique" reinforces this end-to-end fixation. The specific protrusion on one piece of the puzzle is inserted in a groove on adjacent piece. This settlement provides stabilization between the pieces. Application of this philosophy between the nasal septum and extension graft may provide a long-term fixation.
Material Method:
Between April 2022 and March 2024, the "jig-saw puzzle technique" was applied in 26 female patients. Trapezoid-shaped protrusion was created at the septum. Similar indentation was created at the extension grafts. The protrusion is then settled in the indentation. The preop, immediate postoperative and one-year postoperative pictures are compared to assess the rotations and projections with Adobe Photoshop Program.
Results:
All 26 patients were females with mean age 27.5 years (20-32). Satisfactory graft stabilization was obtained without loss of projection and rotation in all patients. Statistically significant difference was found between the preoperative, immediate postoperative and postoperative 1-year projection and rotation assessments of the patients (p = 0.001; p < 0.01). The results were evaluated at a 95% confidence interval and significance was evaluated at p < 0.05 level. These statistical analyses verify that both projection and rotation were preserved with jig-saw puzzle technique.
Conclusion:
The jigsaw puzzle technique may provide suture-independent, long-term end-to-end fixation opportunity of the septal cartilage and the extension graft.
Level Of Evidence Iv:
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
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