Difference Between a Plumping Graft and a Columellar Strut Graft?

Question

I wanted to know if they are both used to increase the nasolabial angle and treat columellar retraction?

Jay Burns, MD · Answer

Both of these grafts are capable of changing the columella lip angle. In general the columella strut graft is placed to support the nasal tip. However the tip can be attached to the strut graft in different ways to rotate the tip upward or stabilize it in its original position. That is up to the surgeon and the patient. The surgeon can, in some cases, position the graft in such a way to lower the columella to help correct retraction of the columella. 

	Plumping grafts, in general, are raw pieces of cartilage or cartilage pieces that have been crushed. These cartilage pieces can be placed just under the skin to "plump" out the area in which they are placed. they are almost always cosmetic in nature and do not contribute to structural support.

Andrew Winkler, MD · Answer

Great question Hopeful!

	The purpose of the Columellar Strut is to support the nasal tip after rhinoplasty, to prevent it from drooping.  The Plumping Graft, on the other hand, is meant to blunt or otherwise change the nasolabial angle (the angle formed between the columella and the upper lip).  Plumping grafts are essentially camouflage where as columellar struts are structural. 

	A columellar strut, if fashioned appropriately and sutured in appropriately, can increase the nasolabial angle, but this isn't its main purpose.  It is generally not used for columellar retraction.  A better option for columellar retraction is a plumping graft, or perhaps a caudal septal extension graft.

Difference Between a Plumping Graft and a Columellar Strut Graft?

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