Suture Contouring of the Nasal Tip

Abstract

Scoring, morselizing, and resecting the alar cartilages in an attempt to modify the position and shape of the nasal tip may lead to postoperative distortions of the lobule. Contour grafts have the disadvantage of asymmetries, visible irregularities, and absorption. For these reasons, surgeons have adopted suture techniques as the primary method of recontouring the alar cartilages. My philosophy in dealing with mild to moderate tip deformities consists of the following principles: (1) limited or no resection of cartilages; (2) no scoring or morselization of alar cartilages, which produces irreversible change and unpredictable results; (3) use of support grafts in the form of columellar struts and lateral crural battens to supplement structure and correct intrinsic alar cartilage weaknesses; (4) reliance primarily on the use of sutures to recontour and position the tip; and (5) limited use of contour grafts for situations that cannot be corrected with sutures and support grafts.