Anatomical Observations of the Lower Lateral Cartilages

Abstract

IN reviewing the rhinoplasty techniques described by various authors, it is immediately apparent that most discrepancies and controversies evolve around the perplexing problem of modifying the nasal tip. This is witnessed by the numerous techniques advocated in the literature for handling the lower lateral cartilages during nasal tip surgery. Some authors advocate removing cartilage from the cephalic margins, others from the caudal margins; some leave the rim intact, others feel it should be divided; triangles and "L"-shaped pieces of cartilage are removed by some surgeons, while others remove no cartilage and advocate remolding it by various techniques.1-6 Although these techniques may be described in detail, many of the authors fail to tell what their technique accomplishes and how it does so. Granted, all nasal tip deformities are not the same and in certain cases different approaches may be indicated. It is also realized that the same results may be