Effect of Tongue-In-Groove Technique on Upper Lip Slope in Rhinoplasty Publisher Pubmed



Sazgar AK¹ ; Tavakoli K¹ ; Sazgar AA^{1, 2} ; Saedi B¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Published:2022

Abstract

Background: Several surgical techniques used for rhinoplasty can change the upper lip form over the long term. By eliminating the membranous septum and causing dysfunction of the depressor septi nasi muscle and performing other maneuvers, the tongue-in-groove (TIG) technique can exaggerate changes in the upper lip shape, length, and slope. Methods: This study was conducted to compare the effects of the TIG technique with and without a septal extension graft (SEG) on lip slope and aesthetic angles on the profile view. A retrospective review was performed on 367 patients who underwent primary rhinoplasty using the TIG technique from 2016 to 2020. The upper lip angle (ULA), the nasolabial angle (NLA), and the columellar facial angle (CFA) were measured for comparison pre-and post-operatively. Results: Of 367 patients, 209 underwent TIG, while the rest underwent TIG over SEG (TIG+SEG). Comparison of pre-and post-operative ULAs showed significant changes in both groups. Although mean ULAs increased in both groups, some of the patients in each group experienced a decrease in ULA. The percentage of the patients with increased post-operative ULA significantly grow with increase in the pre-operative NLA (p < 0.05). However, no significant correlation was found between pre-operative CFA and post-operative ULA. Conclusion: The present study suggests that TIG with and without SEG can change the lip slope on the profile view, possibly due to the shift of the subnasal point superiorly and posteriorly. Level of Evidence IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266. © 2022, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.