04/24/2026
(⚠️6-16) This 50-year-old patient presented after undergoing multiple prior rhinoplasties. She had prior Gore-Tex implants with infection as well. She had nasal obstruction and a deviated nose. Her primary concern was the deviation and obstruction. Her reconstruction required harvesting her own rib cartilage with attached native perichondrium. At the time of surgery, it was noted that the previously placed caudal septal extension graft was deviated to the left. The previously placed grafts were removed, and tall spreader grafts were placed and fixed to her nasal bones. A caudal septal extension graft was placed as well. This maneuver centered her tip. Then lateral crural replacement grafts were sutured to the caudal septal extension graft. Lateral crural strut grafts were placed to support the lateral wall of the nose.
She had some asymmetries of her nasal base with a high left alar insertion point due to left premaxillary deficiency. To correct this, I placed small cubes of cartilage under the left alar base. To improve the symmetry of her nostrils, I performed a right Y-to-V maneuver to better align them. Postoperatively, she had some asymmetries of her tip and a small dorsal prominence and required a minor revision surgery. This was performed three years after her initial surgery. She is now doing very well with nasal symmetry and excellent nasal function.
In approximately 15% of patients, I perform a minor revision surgery to improve the outcome. I encourage all of my patients to come for follow-up visits so we can try to maximize their outcomes. I typically see patients at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months postoperatively. Although most of my patients are out of state or out of the U.S., most come back or at least are able to do virtual follow-up visits. Most patients who come for their follow-up visits show improvement in their outcome over time. If patients do not return for their follow-up for at least one year, problems can persist. If problems persist, I am happy to perform a revision procedure to achieve the desired outcome. Unfortunately, some patients do not come back for the one-year time period and go elsewhere for revision surgery. This is unfortunate, as I can frequently correct problems with a relatively minor surgery.
Revision nasal surgery is complicated, and sometimes additional minor surgery is necessary to get the desired outcome. These procedures can frequently be performed using a closed rhinoplasty approach. I can use the cartilage banked behind their hairline if needed. If the patient has realistic expectations, I am more than happy to get them to the desired outcome. Not returning for at least 1 year postoperatively does not allow me to achieve that maximized outcome.
With my new techniques, developed over the past three years, outcomes have become more consistent. I am excited about these techniques, which will be published soon. Some are already published in the new two-volume textbook, entitled “Structural Preservation Rhinoplasty” by QMP. Consider coming to the Marina Medical Cadaver Course in Florida, December 11 to 13, 2026.