Will Spreader Grafts Strengthen a Weak Lateral Sidewall in Revision Rhinoplasty?

I had a rhinoplasty a few years back and now am having trouble breathing. I have an inverted V slight pinch in the tip of my nose. The nose collapses upon forced inspiration. I get relief with a breathe right strip and like the way it looks and feels with the strip on. I have gotten 2 opinions on how to fix it 1 spreader grafts from septal cartilage and possible batten grafts or 2 a graft with ear cartilage that acts as a breathright strip and wafer grafts to fill the dents. Which is better?

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7 Doctor Answers | Asked by 11704 in Lindenhurst

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Revision Rhinoplasty For Weak Nasal Sidewalls

Hello, Thank you for asking an important question. Without photos and physical examination, it is not possible to give you a solid opinion. Nonetheless, you bring up spreader grafts and wafer grafts and here is my opinion about both: Spreader grafts will serve as a structural support preventing the collapse you have described. The Wafer grafts serve more of an aesthetic function filling the dents you described. I encourage you to seek... more

Treating weak lateral sidewall with surgery

We could give you a better idea of what type of grafts would help after seeing your nose, but it does sound like structural grafting would be beneficial. Spreader grafts will help treat the inverted V problem. The question of where to get the cartilage from depends on how much septal cartilage you have remaining. You may need a combination of septal and/or ear cartilage depending on what can be harvested from your septum. You can check out my link below that discusses surgical breathe right... more

Rhinoplasty struts and grafts

It is impossible to make specific recommendations in the absence of photos or a face to face examination. Your question is an important one though because there is a vast difference between spreader grafts that are placed between the septal and upper lateral cartilages vs. crushed cartilage grafts or wafer grafts placed on top of the native nasal cartilages. The first gives you a structural support that should correct the middle vault collapse you describe. The second is a means of... more

Inverted V-deformity, upper lateral cartilage collapse and internal nasal valve obstruction.

The inverted-V deformity is a classic long term complication following overly aggressive reduction rhinoplasty. It is commonly associated with narrowing of the internal nasal valve and nasal obstruction. The cause is related to loss of support of the upper lateral cartilage resulting in their inward and downward collapse. Spreader grafts are designed to reposition and support the upper lateral cartilages and open the nasal valves. Although other grafting techniques... more

Breathing problems after rhinoplasty

It sounds like you have nasal valve problem (possibly both internal and external) which, unfortunately, is one of the potential complications of rhinoplasty surgery. I have to complement you on your knowledge of the ways to correct this problem. If you trully have an inverted V deformity, then your internal nasal valve is collapsed and the best way to correct this would be with the spreader grafts/ upper lateral cartilage grafts/flaring suture of the upper lateral cartilages.... more

Spreader grafts

Spreader grafts help with breathing when there is mid vault collapse. These are best harvested fro the septum.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Spreader Grafts to Improve Breathing

Spreader grafts are are good choice to improve nasal breathing and correct the inverted V deformity. The grafts can be taken from the septum as long as there is enough cartilage after your previous surgery or ear cartilage can be used.