Journal archive · Nasal tip · 2020
Nasal Tip Delamination: A Technique for Nasal Tip Projection and Control in Rhinoplasty
Gfrerer L, Riesel JN, Bartlett RA.
What this paper says
The authors describe tip delamination, a way to fully expose the paired cartilages in the middle of the nasal tip so projection sutures can be placed accurately with ordinary suture material, illustrated in three patients.
Overview
Control of how far the nasal tip projects and how far it rotates upward is central to rhinoplasty results. Suture techniques that change the relationship between the medial crura and the caudal septum can set tip position, but the authors state these can be technically difficult or need specialized sutures. The paper presents a technique that separates the medial crura completely from surrounding tissue so the surgeon has access around them, and reports a case series of three patients.
Sections of note
- Technique description plus a case series of three patients.
- The medial crura of the lower lateral cartilages are completely exposed, or delaminated, giving 360 degree access to them.
- Symmetrical exposure of the medial crura and the caudal septum is the stated goal, so projection control sutures land accurately.
- Commonly available suture materials are used rather than specialized sutures.
- Results are presented as example cases with one intraoperative video.
- The authors state the technique adds minimal operating time and minimal added injury.
What it means for a patient
- This is a surgical exposure method, not a new implant or graft, so it changes how the surgeon works rather than what is left in the nose.
- Three patients is a demonstration, not evidence of benefit.
- The abstract reports no measured outcomes, no follow up length and no comparison with other tip suture methods.
- Claims that the technique offers significant control and beneficial outcomes are the authors' assessment, not a measured result.
Why this paper matters
Tip projection and rotation drive much of how a nose looks from the side, and most modern rhinoplasty controls them with sutures rather than large grafts. This paper sits in the technique literature that describes how to make those sutures reproducible. Whether delamination improves symmetry or durability compared with standard exposure has not been tested.
Terms
- Nasal tip projection: how far the tip of the nose stands out from the face.
- Rotation: how far upward or downward the tip is angled.
- Medial crura: the paired inner legs of the tip cartilages that run down the middle of the nose.
- Caudal septum: the front lower edge of the central nasal partition.
- Lower lateral cartilages: the paired cartilages that form the shape of the nasal tip.
Summary written by rhinoplasty.cc from the abstract, 2026-09-09; not medical advice. The authors' own abstract follows.
Abstract
Background: Control of tip projection and rotation is critical to a successful rhinoplasty. Suture techniques that change the relationship of the medial crura to the caudal septum can effectively manage tip position, but may be technically challenging or require specialized sutures. The authors present a technique ("tip delamination") that allows symmetrical exposure of the medial crura and caudal septum for accurate placement of projection control sutures using commonly available suture materials.
Methods: We describe a novel technique to completely expose (or delaminate) the medial crura of the lower lateral cartilages to allow for 360-degree access to and manipulation of these critical structures. We present a case series of 3 patients.
Results: Exemplary cases with 1 intraoperative video will be reviewed to demonstrate how tip delamination allows for more precise control of the medial crura and nasal tip.
Conclusions: Nasal tip delamination is a simple technique for manipulating the medial crura and nasal tip in rhinoplasty procedures. Nasal tip delamination adds minimal time and morbidity to the procedure and offers significant control for the surgeon, with beneficial outcomes for the patient.
Abstract as indexed by PubMed; the article is open access (PubMed Central).
Citation
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What the rhinoplasty literature says on this paper's topic, cited line by line to PubMed.
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