Lateral crural turn-in flap in functional rhinoplasty.

OBJECTIVE

To use the trimmed cartilage as a support material for both internal and external valves.

METHODS

The lateral crural turn-in flap (LCTF) technique is simply to make cephalic trimming of the lateral crura and turn it into a pocket created under the remaining lateral crus. Twenty-four patients with lateral crura wider than 12 mm and in whom this technique was applied took part in this study. The trimmed cartilage was used to reshape and/or support the lateral crus and the internal valve by keeping the scroll intact. The support and suspension of the lateral crura "sandwich" helped not only to prevent stenosis of the internal valve angle but also to widen it in some cases.

RESULTS

The LCTF has been used in 24 patients to reshape and/or add structure to the lateral crus with great success. The internal valve was also kept open by keeping the scroll area intact, especially in 1 patient with concave lateral crura in whom this technique helped to widen the internal valve angle.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the LCTF can be used to reshape and add structure to the lateral crus and to suspend the internal valve. Although it is a powerful technique by itself in functional rhinoplasty, it should be combined with other methods, such as spreader flaps/grafts or alar battens, to obtain the maximum functional result.