UC Irvine

Importance

The contribution of columellar strut grafts (CSGs) to nasal tip support has not been determined via structural mechanics. Optimal graft dimensions have yet to be objectively determined.

Objectives

To use a finite element model (FEM) of the human nose to (1) determine the effect of the CSG on nasal tip support and (2) identify how suture placement contributes to tip support.

Design, setting, and participants

A multiple-component FEM of the human nose consisting of bone, skin/soft tissue, and cartilage was rendered from a computed tomographic scan. Then, CSGs of varying sizes were created, ranging from 15 × 4 × 1 mm to 25 × 8 × 1 mm, and placed in the model between the medial crura. Two FEMs were constructed for each strut size: (1) CSGs that were physically attached to the nasal spine, medial crura, and caudal septum and (2) CSGs that were not in direct contact with these structures and free to move within the soft tissue. A control model was also constructed wherein no graft was placed.

Main outcomes and measures

Nasal tip support for each model was assessed, and the resultant distribution of von Mises stress, reaction force, and strain energy density with respect to the alar cartilages were calculated.

Results

Compared with the control, the reaction force increased with increasing strut volume, while the strain energy density (calculated over the alar cartilages) generally decreased with increasing CSG volume. Simulations with struts that had suture attachments along the entire length of the graft generated a larger reaction force than the models without any suture attachments. Models with anteriorly placed sutures generated reaction forces similar to that of the fully sutured model, whereas the models with posterior sutures showed reaction forces similar to the fully disconnected model.

Conclusions and relevance

Insertion of CSGs does effect the amount of force the nasal tip can withstand post rhinoplasty. Moreover, anteriorly placed sutures incur reaction forces similar to struts that are fully connected to the alar cartilage. Thus, our simulations are congruent with clinical practice in that stability increases with graft size and fixation, and that sutures should be placed along either the entire CSG or the anterior most portion for optimal support.

Level of evidence

NA.