Alar Base Augmentation and Rhinoplasty in Asians

Tae-Bin Won ,MD., PhD Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital Email: binent@hanmail.net Phone: 82-2-2072-2447 Objective: To evaluate the results of alar base augmentation in Asians Background: A not so uncommon facial feature of Asians, including Koreans, is alar base insufficiency resulting from an underdeveloped maxilla. Augmentation of the alar base region can improved the flattened appearance of the face and excessively deepened nasolabial fold. Subjects and Methods: Retrospective chart review and telephone interview in a tertiary hospital. From March 2007 to September 2009, 22 patients in whom alar base augmentation was performed at the time of rhinoplasty with a follow up of more than 6 months were included in this study. Patient characteristics, surgical techniques used and complications were analyzed as well as objective and subjective results using pre and postoperative standardized photographs and questionnaire. Results: Sublabial approach was performed in 5 cases (23%) and intranasal incision in 17 patients (77%). Silicone implants were used in 19 patients (87%), followed by e-PTFE implant in 2 patients and autologous rib cartilage in 1 patient. Complications such as infection or extrusion occurred in 3 patients (2 silicone, 1 e-PTFE) which were all performed through the sublabial approach. Excluding the patients with complications, objective improvement was seen in 11 patients (58%) and subjective improvement (scale of 0-3) yielded an average score of 2.32, with everyone except 1 responding a positive effect to the concurrently performed rhinoplasty. Conclusion: Alar base augmentation performed during rhinoplasty in Asians can improve patient satisfaction. We recommend the intranasal incision when using alloplastic implants to reduce chances of complications. Alar Base Augmentation and Rhinoplasty in Asians