Nasal Tip Blood Supply: Confirming the Safety of the Transcolumellar Incision in Rhinoplasty

The safety of the transcolumellar incision in the open rhinoplasty approach is predicated on the redundancy of the blood supply to the nasal tip, particularly the consistently present lateral nasal arteries. It has been previously demonstrated in a cadaver study that the lateral nasal arteries are present either unilaterally or bilaterally and can be relied on to maintain the vascularity of the nasal tip. Presented here is a review of this clinic's experience with the open rhinoplasty approach and present guidelines for safety in using the transcolumellar incision in rhinoplasty. Open rhinoplasty by means of a transcolumellar incision remains an eminently safe approach, given a sound understanding of the blood supply to the nasal tip.