What is the difference between alar batten grafts and lateral crural strut grafts? Which is better for correcting a pinched tip?

This is an extremely complicated question. I would advise you see a surgeon who utilizes all possible techniques and have him/her decide which technique is best for you. Instead of focusing on the technique utilized, it is better to pay attention to the functional and aesthetic goals and leave it to the surgeon which grafting technique is best for you. I frequently use both (LCSGs and alar batten grafts) in the same patient, especially when placing lateral crural strut grafts with caudal repositioning. Alar batten grafts support the internal nasal valve in such cases and prevent subsequent supra-alar pinching in the void created through repositioning. Frequently, these decisions are made intraoperatively. Cartilage availability is often a limiting factor and it is good to have a surgeon who has a wide armamentarium of surgical techniques including septoplasty (always the preferred donor site for cartilage if sufficiently available), ear cartilage grafting, and rib cartilage grafting. At your consultation, your surgeon should discuss with you what the likelihood is of requiring either ear or rib cartilage. In primary rhinoplasty, it is rather rare that either one is needed. The septum is usually sufficient. Rather than talking about which grafts are placed, I believe it is more important to think about and discuss where the grafts might possibly be coming from. Please also remember that is not only the technique utilized to get a given result, but also the proficiency of the surgeon with a given technique. Lateral crural strut grafts, while leading to excellent results if properly performed, come at a higher risk of unwanted results if not done properly. Surgeon experience is critical and you should see someone who performs rhinoplasty on a regular basis. Good luck!

Alar Batten Strut grafts are most likely one of the solutions for your rhinoplasty, specifically your pinched nasal tip.  However, depending upon what you are classifying as a "pinched" tip, and on how your nasal anatomy appears, other nasal grafts may be required to improve the nasal appearance.  I do not see a photo attached to your  post here, but various grafts may be needed correct your concerns.

Alar batten grafts are what you need for the pinched tip. See a very experienced revision rhinoplasty surgeon for this whose work looks natural. Do not rely on imaging but on the skills of the actual surgical work.