What is a lateral crural strut graft?

Lateral crural strut grafts are cartilage grafts, usually from nasal septal or ear cartilage which are placed either above or below the existing cartilages to strengthen them to help with alar (nostril) collapse or pinching.  

Lateral crural strut grafts are pieces of cartilage that are usually placed under the lateral crura. The presence of these grafts add support to the lateral aspects of the nasal tip pyramid. Once placed, the grafts and the overlying lateral crura can also be repositioned in order to correct alar rim retraction, alar rim collapse and malposition of the lateral crura. This is a very powerful and very effective type of graft that generally requires either septal or rib cartilage.

This is a graft that is placed below the alar cartilages to provide support. This can help prevent pinching or alar rim retraction.