Is there a difference between septocolumellar suture and tongue-in-groove to achieve tip support?

Question

In my procedure, septocolumellar suture was used without grafts. I read that, in TIG method, tip drop is less likely to occur after surgery and that some residual stifness in the tip is permanent. I would like to know if the same is applicable for septocolumellar suture.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Your result is entirely dependent on the skill of your surgeon. Whether the tongue in groove technique is used or not makes very little difference

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Tongue In Groove Refers to the bottom of the septum, which is the tongue, being sutured to the bottom of the tip, which are the grooves. In that regard, suturing the columella to the septum is very similar if not the same. Hope this helps! Dr Joseph

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

: tongue in groove verse septo columella suture: tongue in groove elevation of the nasal tip is a very powerful way to elevate a drooping nasal tip in a more permanent way. It involves invaginating the medial crura of the Columella onto the septum and fixing it there with sutures. This cartilage to cartilage fixation is very strong and often withstands the downward pull of the lip on the tip of the nose when smiling. This is a specific procedure. The term “septal columella suture“ is a more general term which literally means suturing the Columella to the Septum. This may be by invaginating it first onto the septum as with the tongue and groove procedure, in which case it would mean the same thing. If however it simply means suturing the Columella to the base of the septum without invaginating the medial crore onto the Cartlidge of the caudal septum then it would be something slightly different and probably less effective.

Is there a difference between septocolumellar suture and tongue-in-groove to achieve tip support?

Answers (3)