Usefulness of Medpor as Columella Strut in Korean Nose

Choi, Yoon Seok; Yoon, Suk Young; Jang, Tae Young

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Nasal tip plasty is a difficult procedure especially in Koreans who have a thick skin, abundant subcutaneous tissue and weak cartilage. Columella strut using autologus cartilage such as septal or rib cartilage, which is one of the tip supporting procedure, is frequently used in Koreans. Autologus graft material supply is often limited and harvesting entails additional morbidity. So, the purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of Medpor as columella strut material and its complication.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We studied 38 patients who underwent nasal tip plasty. Case group (n=19) underwent tip plasty using Medpor as columella strut material. However, the other group (n=19) underwent tip plasty using septal cartilage. The result of surgery was evaluated on the basis of pre-operative, one and twelve months post-operative photographic analyses. All results were statistically analyzed.
RESULTS
Tip projection was 10.3% in the Medpor used group, 5.8% in the cartilage used group at one month after surgery. Tip projection were 8.7% and 4.4% in each group at twelve months after surgery. The degree of tip cephalic rotation was 10.1 degree for the Medpor used cases, and 5.3 degrees for cartilage used cases at 1 month after surgery. Twelve months after surgery, the degree of cephalic rotation was 8.7 degrees and 2.1 degrees for each group. Decreasing rates of tip projection and tip rotation was measured 1.9% and 1.2 degrees in the Medpor used group and 2.4% and 2.1 degrees in the cartilage used group. There was only one case of complication; the extrusion of Medpor into the nasal cavity.
CONCLUSION
Medpor can be a good substitute for columella strut material for Koreans who have weak and small amount of cartilages.