Autogenous rib cartilage combined with nasal Pitanguy ligament reconstruction technique for correction of nasal tip droopiness
10.3760/cma.j.cn114453-20250320-00072
- VernacularTitle:自体肋软骨联合鼻部Pitanguy韧带重建技术矫正鼻尖下旋的临床分析
- Author:
Yaning HAO
1
;
Xuming WANG
;
Wenming XIAO
;
Wenlong LUO
Author Information
1. 重庆当代整形外科医院整形科，重庆 400020
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Rhinoplasty;
Costal cartilage;
Ligaments;
Nasal tip;
Pitanguy ligament
- From:
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery
2025;41(8):819-826
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of autologous costal cartilage combined with nasal Pitanguy ligament reconstruction for correcting downward rotation of the nasal tip following rhinoplasty.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients who underwent this combined technique at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Chongqing Contemporary Plastic Surgery Hospital, between January 2019 and January 2021. Autologous costal cartilage was carved into a bifurcated nasal columella support graft (3 cm in length × 8 mm in width × 2 mm in thickness, with a 1 cm bifurcation at the distal end). This graft was fixed across the caudal septum to establish a costal cartilage support framework. A piece of costal perichondrium (approximately 3 cm × 1 cm) was harvested. Using 5-0 PDS sutures, the cephalic end of the perichondrium was meticulously fixed to the residual stump of the Pitanguy ligament on the nasal dorsum, while the caudal end was anchored to the nasal tip scaffold, thereby reconstructing the ligamentous tension system. Postoperative complications were monitored. Preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively, patients’ photographs were processed using Adobe Photoshop CS 6 to measure the nasolabial angle, nasofrontal angle, and columellar-lobular angle. Patient satisfaction was assessed using the rhinoplasty outcome evaluation (ROE) questionnaire (total score range: 0-24; higher scores indicate greater satisfaction). The paired t-test was employed for statistical comparison of these measurements and scores, with a P-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results:A total of 76 patients were included (16 males, 60 females), with a mean age of 26.5 ± 4.3 years (range: 18-42 years). The mean follow-up duration was 13.2 months (range: 12-15 months). All patients recovered well, with no complications, such as nasal tip graft visibility, graft displacement, or breathing difficulties were observed. Natural contouring between the nasal tip and dorsum was achieved, and the fullness of the infratip lobule was significantly improved. Statistically significant differences ( P < 0.01 for all) were found between preoperative and 12-month postoperative measurements: nasofrontal angle (143.54° ± 5.08° vs. 134.12° ± 8.63°), nasolabial angle (82.28° ± 7.02° vs. 95.36° ± 3.76°), columellar-lobular angle (50.72° ± 6.67° vs. 43.05° ± 4.52°), and ROE scores [(9.05 ± 2.03) points vs. (22.07 ± 2.45)points]. Conclusion:The combined technique utilizing autologous costal cartilage and Pitanguy ligament reconstruction effectively corrects downward rotation of the nasal tip. Through the synergistic action of costal cartilage structural support and anatomical restoration of the Pitanguy ligament, it achieves a natural nasal tip contour, functional stability and high patient satisfaction.
