Controlled nasal tip rotation via the lateral crural overlay technique.

Pronounced nasal tip ptosis is generally regarded as an unattractive facial feature. Besides its aesthetic ramifications, marked inferior displacement of the nasal tip adversely affects nasal function by restricting airflow through the nares. We present a new technique that is a modification of a lateral crural flap procedure that was described in 1975. This technique, which is performed using an open rhinoplasty approach, predictably rotates the nasal tip upward by restructuring the alar cartilages via controlled overlay of the lateral crura. When overprojection accompanies tip ptosis, the controlled lateral crural overlay technique permits graduated retrodisplacement of the tip, in addition to rotation, giving the surgeon full control for reliably and accurately repositioning the nasal tip superiorly and posteriorly.