Comparison of 1 Year Nasal Tip Projection Results of Triple Cartilage Combining Suture (Flexible Tongue-in-Groove) and Classical Tongue-in-Groove Techniques

Abstract

Objectives: In the present study, we compared patient satisfaction with classical tongue-in-groove (TIG) technique and triple cartilage combining suture (TCCS; flexible tongue-in-groove) techniques applied to the nasal tip in rhinoplasty. Methods: In this retrospective study, 80 patients who underwent rhinoplasty operations with TIG or TCCS techniques applied to the tip region were included. There were 40 patients in both groups. All patients in groups 1 and 2 were evaluated by the criteria written below at preoperative, postoperative first month, and postoperative first year: (1) Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation Questionnaire (ROE), (2) tip projection (cm), (3) nasal dorsum length (cm), (4) tip projection ratio (Goode), (5) nasofrontal angle, and (6) nasolabial angle. Results: The patients were followed up at 84.32 ± 19.38 months in the TIG group and 87.47 ± 18.01 months in the TCCS group. Our results showed that preoperative, postoperative first-month, and first-year tip projection ( P = .013, P = .022, and P = .020, respectively), and nasal dorsum length values ( P = .009, P = .020, and P = .020, respectively) of the TCCS group were significantly lower than those in the TIG group. There was a positive correlation between the postoperative first month and postoperative first year ROE scores. Lower preoperative tip projection ratio (Goode) values and higher nasolabial angle values were related to higher ROE scores showing patient satisfaction. Conclusion: For the patient satisfaction after tip rhinoplasty, lower projection ratio (Goode) and higher nasolabial angle values were related to ROE scores. Although there are no significant results, lower tip projection results in the TCCS group may be related to more patient satisfaction due to natural appearance.