Classification of Angulation Deformities of Lower Lateral Cartilages and Their Restoration

Background: Shape of the tip is supplied by lower lateral cartilages (LLC) which are divided into 3 crura each composed of 2 segments divided by junction lines (JL). Tip restoration becomes more complicated with the presence of angulation deformities (AD) over LLC. It is aimed to classify AD based on their relationship to JL, to clarify their causes of the formation and to discuss restoration techniques for each of them. Material and Methods: Between 2016 and 2018, 375 primary rhinoplasties have been performed. All types of the AD have been retrospectively determined, renamed. Six different types of AD have been encountered in this series. Four of AD (types A, B, C, and D) have been located over JL and 2 of AD (types S and T) have not been located over JL. Results: Type-A AD diverging the footplates were observed in 9 patients, type-B AD resulting in a boxy-nose were observed in 18 cases, type-C AD resulting in acute angulation of the dome at the medial genu were observed in 4 patients, type-D AD resulting in a pinched tip and concave alar wings were observed in 6 patients, type-S AD resulting in a weak, and short columella were observed in 5 patients, type-T AD that creates a bulge over ala was observed just in 1 patient in our series. The total number of patients with AD was 39 (10.4% of all cases). Conclusion: Classification of AD over LLC based on their relationship to certain JL provides ease for recognition of these deformities and immediate per-operative planning for their restoration.