Rhinoplasty in Chinese： management of lower dorsum and bulbous nasal tip

Background Bulbous nasal tips and lower dorsa are common facial features in Chinese people, and surgery to reshape these is frequently requested. The use of silicone implants in rhinoplasty has been widely used in China for many years, but is not suitable for patients seeking Caucasian tip shapes. The creation of an excessively high tip supported only by a silicone implant inevitably leads to implant extrusion. Although many rhinoplasty techniques have been used in Caucasian patients, there is currently no suitable method for Chinese patients, whose anatomy differs from that of Caucasians. The present study was aimed to investigate the clinical outcome of a novel method of rhinoplasty in Chinese people. Methods Eighty patients underwent rhinoplasty using our method between 2002 and 2006. We classified the patients into three types, according to the distance between tip defining points, and used different techniques accordingly. Furthermore, an innovative cartilage carving method and a tip fibro-fatty tissue flap were designed and combined with traditional techniques, such as insertion of silicone implant, cartilage grafts, suture techniques and cephalic trimming to reshape the nasal contours. The followup period was 10-60 months （average, 21 months）. Results Remarkable modifications in nasal contours were achieved. No complications developed in any of the 80 patients. Seventy-eight patients were satisfied with the results. The outcomes remained unchanged over time. Conclusion Our method is effective and suitable for the treatment of Chinese patients with lower dorsa and bulbous nasal tips.