Advancements in Nasal Tip Rhinoplasty in East Asia: From Adoption of Western Techniques to Indigenous Innovation

Nasal tip rhinoplasty constitutes a cornerstone of both aesthetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty. In East Asia, this procedure presents distinct surgical challenges and has undergone a unique evolutionary trajectory-shaped by region-specific nasal anatomy and culturally embedded aesthetic ideals. This review traces the historical development of East Asian nasal tip rhinoplasty, charting its progression from the initial adoption of Western techniques to contemporary, locally developed innovations grounded in anatomic evidence. First, the authors delineate key anatomic differences between East Asian and Western nasal structures. Subsequently, the authors examine 3 chronological phases: (1) the era of Western technique transplantation-characterized by direct adoption and preliminary adaptation; (2) the phase of technical refinement and contextual integration-focused on enhancing structural support, achieving natural contouring, and optimizing facial harmony; and (3) the current era of indigenous innovation-defined by conceptually original, clinically validated techniques explicitly informed by East Asian nasal anatomy. Particular emphasis is placed on homegrown methodologies, including Dai exogenous extension stents. Furthermore, the authors synthesize current evidence regarding clinical outcomes, strategies for complication prevention and management, and the evolution of aesthetic paradigms-from early emulation of Western ideals toward a confident, culturally resonant standard of beauty. This review offers a rigorous, historically grounded, and clinically relevant synthesis of advances in East Asian nasal tip rhinoplasty, serving as a scholarly resource for global practitioners and fostering cross-cultural collaboration in rhinoplasty science and practice.