Augmentation Rhinoplasty in Asian Patients

Yoo SH, Jang YJ.

PubMed 41962580 Publisher (DOI)

What this paper says

A review from Jang's group setting out current practice for building up the Asian nose: septal extension grafts as the primary tip support, onlay or shield grafts for refinement, and a dorsal material chosen from silicone, ePTFE, solid rib or diced rib cartilage according to the patient.

Overview

Asian noses commonly have a low bridge, weak cartilage and thick skin. This narrative review from Asan Medical Center covers dorsal and tip augmentation techniques aimed at stable, long-lasting results. No patient data are reported in the abstract.

Sections of note

Tip: septal extension grafts are "the primary method" for structural reinforcement, projection and rotation control; tip-onlay or shield grafts refine further.
Dorsum: material options are alloplastic (silicone, ePTFE) or autologous (monoblock or diced costal cartilage), chosen by anatomy and patient preference.
The authors stress treating dorsum and tip together.
Understanding anatomical limits is presented as essential to long-term outcomes.

What it means for a patient

Most Asian augmentation cases need both a stronger tip framework and a raised bridge.
There is no single correct bridge material; implants and the patient's own rib cartilage each have trade-offs the review discusses.
This is expert guidance from a high-volume centre rather than comparative data.

Why this paper matters

It summarises a mature East Asian practice pattern for a general facial plastic surgery readership. Limits: review, no outcomes.

Terms

Augmentation rhinoplasty: surgery that adds height, length or projection.
Septal extension graft: cartilage fixed to the septum that the tip is built on.
Shield graft: a shield-shaped cartilage piece placed on the tip for definition.
ePTFE: expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, a porous implant material.
Monoblock costal cartilage: a single carved piece of rib cartilage.

Summary written by rhinoplasty.cc from the abstract, 2026-09-08; not medical advice. The authors' own abstract follows.

From the abstract

“Asian rhinoplasty presents unique challenges due to distinct anatomical features, including a low nasal dorsum, weak cartilaginous framework, and thick soft tissue envelope. This article examines contemporary surgical approaches for dorsal and tip augmentation, focusing on methods designed to produce both…”

Excerpt; the full abstract is on PubMed.