Rhinoplasty Using Postauricular Dermofat Graft

Park, Chan Hum

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For augmentation and camouflage of dorsum in rhinoplasty, various materials have been used for many years. Among them dermofat graft has been known as a good grafting material to substitute for soft tissue deficiencies. We report 7 cases of successful rhinoplasty using postauricular dermofat graft.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A semicircular incision was made in postauricular area. The harvested amount of dermofat for augmentation and camouflage was slightly more than the exactly calculated amount considering postoperative contraction. In four patients, graft was used to camouflage for postoperative irregularity of nasal dorsum. In three patients, dermofat graft and Gore-Tex(R) were used to augment for postoperative nasal contraction and change skin texture.
RESULTS
After 6-15 months of follow-up, all patients showed a satisfactory improvement in nasal contour and non-visible postauricular scar.
CONCLUSION
The postauricular dermofat graft is a useful method to improve postoperative irregularity after hump removal and osteotomy, postoperative nasal contraction, and skin texture. In addition, postauricular dermofat graft has the conveniences of same surgical look and easy postoperative dressing.