Columella Implants: Reconstruction of the Anterior Septum

• A follow-up study was conducted of implants used to replace the anterior septal cartilage. The implants used were (1) the cartilaginous septum after correction, (2) parts of the bony septum (when it was impossible to use the cartilaginous septum), (3) or bank cartilage (when there was insufficient autograft material). One hundred cases were examined 12 months after surgery and divided into three groups according to the material used. There was no statistical difference between the percentages of satisfactory results in the three groups: 66% satisfactory and 33% unsatisfactory. Further analysis of the unsatisfactory results indicated that the most difficult feature is judging the size of the implant: too small an implant results in instability, reduction in the nasolabial angle, and retraction of the columella. Previous surgery increases the risk of poor results. ( Arch Otolaryngol 1982;108:243-246)