Rhinoplasty is one of most frequently performed Asian cosmetic surgeries. Although the general concepts of Asian rhinoplasty are similar to those in the non-Asian, technical execution is different. Asians generally seek augmentation rhinoplasty, in contrast to Caucasians generally request reduction rhinoplasty.
The nasal bridge is typically flatter, less defined, and the tip of the nose wider and less angular. The nostril opening may appear relatively larger and be more widely flared. For the Asian rhinoplasty surgeon, the operation can be more challenging because Asian cartilage is more fragile and the overlying skin is thicker. Many Asians patients request an increase in tip projection to lengthen the nose slightly and lower its typical upward angled nasal tip.
Dr. Choi does not use synthetic material to augment. He has used diced cartilage graft in nasal surgery more than 25 years.
There are three methods of diced cartilage in rhinoplasty surgery:
- Diced cartilage
- Diced cartilage wrapped in fascia
- Diced cartilage covered with fascia
Pieces of diced cartilage without any fascia can be placed in multiple areas.
Diced cartilage can be from patient’s own ear cartilage, rib cartilage, or radiated cartilage.
In anyway these are superior to alloplastic, synthetic implant so patient can have permanent, safe and infection free surgical outcome.
Diced cartilage make rhinoplasty in Asian simple and complications have been relatively minor and their correction is simple.
Every nose is different so the surgical technique is also different.
Long Nose
Main emphasis need to address to shorten and rotate the nasal tip slightly to give adequate balance and satisfy the rule of three principles.
Short Nose
This nose gives appearance of piggy nose and it requires lengthening of the nose. Radiated cartilage or patient’s own ear cartilage can be used to lengthen and it is associated with tip projection.
Wide Nasal Nose
This nose typically requires osteotomy (breaking the nasal bone) to reduce the width of the nose and osteotomy is performed routinely in Caucasian nose.
Drooping Tip Nose
This gives appearance of aged nose and it requires rotation to bring the nasal tip toward upward and it gives young looking and youthful appearance.
Wide Nasal Base
This is very common among South East Asian but 20% of North East Asian also had this configuration. In this case, alar base is reduced by excising portion of the nasal base and the scar is invisible after healing is completed.
Bulbous and Thick Nasal Tip
This is very common and shaping the nasal tip cartilage and reducing the fatty tissue from underlying skin thick nasal skin can be thinned.