Quantifying Optimal Columellar Strut Dimensions for Nasal Tip Stabilization After Rhinoplasty via Finite Element Analysis

Estimation of Nasal Tip Support Using Computer-Aided Design and 3-Dimensional Printed Models

“…Finite element analysis is precise, because the model’s structure is derived from patient-specific clinical CT data. Finite element analysis has been used to model complex nasal mechanics and quantify the relative contributions of the classic major nasal tip support mechanisms, 14–20 shape change in laser-cartilage reshaping, 26 cephalic trim on lower lateral cartilage and nasal tip stability, 16,18 and the impact of caudal septal resection. 14 The linkage between physician assessment and outcomes derived from FEA can be established using this 3-D–printed rapid prototype approach.…”

“…18–20 Finite element analysis can provide estimates of short- and long-term steady state outcomes. 18–21 For example, applying FEA to study septal L-strut design illustrated the value in enhanced surgical planning.…”

Computational technology for nasal cartilage-related clinical research and application

“…[4][5][6][7] COMSOL (COMSOL, USA), FEBio and SolidWorks (CASCIM, USA) have also been used for nasal cartilagerelated finite element analysis. 41,42,45,[53][54][55][56] Finite element meshing is the most critical step for the finite element method. For complicated tissue or organ shapes, mesh generation is an extremely difficult and complicated process.…”

“…54 Tjoa et al 73 used Manuel's model to simulate wound healing and surgical steps to explore their associations with inverted-V deformities. Gandy et al 41 analysed the effects of the size and shape of the columellar implant and its relationship with the medial crus of the alar cartilage on nasal tip support. From the series of studies by Manuel et al, 42 it was again shown that the same model can achieve the simulate different clinical problems through appropriate modification of the model and changes in the way that force is applied.…”

“…If further modification or design of the model is required, software such as Geomagic (3D systems, USA) and 3D Max (Autodesk, USA) should be selected, and such software is also available for measurements. 4,41 Multiple models can be assembled using CAD software, such as Creo Parametric (Parametric Technology Corporation, USA). 4,6 Model reconstruction sometimes will be patient specific, 4,6 in which the nasal cartilage model and nasal model or airway model reconstruction are based on patient image data.…”