The Application of a New Framework Construction Technique in Autologous Costal Cartilage Rhinoplasty

Background: In this study, the clinical efficacy of a new framework construction technique for costal cartilage rhinoplasty was investigated. Methods: From January 2020 to February 2022, patients who underwent rhinoplasty in the department of plastic and reconstructive surgery of Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled. The sixth costal cartilage was made into the nasal columellar support graft (strut), the nasal tip graft integrated scaffold, and the septal extension grafts. The strut and septal extension grafts were sutured to construct the framework. Adobe Photoshop 6.0 was used to measure a series of aesthetic indices preoperatively and at 9 months postoperatively, including the nasal length, tip projection, nasofrontal angle, columellar/lobular angle, and nasolabial angle. The visual analog scale score and rhinoplasty outcome evaluation score were used to assess patient satisfaction. A paired t test was used for data analysis, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 65 patients aged 19-43 years (average age 26.0 y) were enrolled. No short-term complications occurred. All patients were followed up for 9-23 months. There were statistically significant differences in all measurements (P < 0.05), which suggested that the aesthetic defects of the nose were corrected and that no obvious deflection or rotation of the nasal tip occurred. The visual analog scale score and rhinoplasty outcome evaluation score indicated a significant improvement in patient satisfaction (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This new framework construction technique for costal cartilage rhinoplasty can reduce the risk of framework deflection and nasal tip rotation and provide a satisfactory nasal columellar shape.