OPEN TIP RHINOPLASTY

An open tip rhinoplasty was used to correct moderate to severe secondary cleft lip nasal deformities in 122 patients from January 1986 to January 1988. The results of the surgery on 92 patients who were followed for 1 year or more were evaluated. When the surgery was performed after the age of 3 years, 60% of the patients had a satisfactory result. The pathology of the deformity included 32% with deficiencies of the nasal lining, 35% needed framework support such as a columellar strut, and 45% required correction of columellar deficiencies. Patients using a postoperative nasal stent had a 71% satisfactory result compared with a 37% satisfactory result when the stent was not used. The pathology and techniques to correct the nasal deformity are described.