Vertical alar lengthening technique in correcting short noses

Abstract

Background: It is crucial that the nose length must be compatible with the face in order to obtain beautiful results that suits the face. Shorter and upturned noses appear as if the tip of the nose is cut from the front and gives a piggy appearance to the patient's face. Objective: The aim of this study is to obtain longer noses with increased tip definition by effectively lengthening the medial and lateral crura's in patients with short nose and Asian noses. Materials and methods: Vertical Alar Lengthening (VAL) technique was applied to 17 revision and 12 primary Asian noses. VAL technique consists of three steps. In the first step, the medial crus were lengthened by stealing from the lateral crus. Later, a lateral crural extension graft was applied to the shortened lateral crus, and the lateral crus was lengthened and sutured to the medial crus. In the final stage, a subdomal graft was placed and supported in the space formed underneath the alar tip between the mucosa and the new dome. They were followed in average 12 months (between 6 and 18 months). Results: VAL technique was applied to 17 revision and 12 primer Asian noses. Suggested surgical technique move the tip forward and downward reduced its cephalic rotation and lengthened the nose. Targeted tip point, rotation and projection results were achieved in all patients. All patients had satisfactory esthetic results. Conclusions: In revision cases and short nose deformities in Asian noses, the nasal tip point was extended forward and downward with the VAL technique, reducing its rotation and lengthening the nose.