Commentary on: Anatomic and anthropometric analysis of 72 lower lateral nasal cartilages from fresh Persian (Iranian) cadavers.

BACKGROUND Understanding the anatomy of nasal cartilage, which varies by ethnic group, is important for surgical correction of nasal tip deformities. OBJECTIVES The authors measure the size and shape of the lower lateral cartilages (LLC) in Persian cadavers to provide summary guidelines. METHODS A total of 72 cartilage dissections were performed on 36 fresh Persian cadavers. All soft tissue was removed from the lateral crura cartilages. The lateral, middle, and medial distances from the caudal edge of the lateral crus to the alar rim were measured at the junction of the middle and lateral crura. Measurements were obtained for alar cartilage, alar flaring, divergence angle, and other parameters. Comparisons were made between sexes and select ethnic groups. RESULTS Significant gender differences were observed for the middle (P=.03) and medial crura (P=.02), but not the lateral crura (P=.05). Approximately 87% of lateral crura were convex, and 86% of middle crura were flat. The medial crus was convex in 58.3% of the cadavers, with no significant gender difference. We noted occasional asymmetry between the middle and medial crura. Measurements for Persians differed from those of Asians and African Americans, but were similar to those of Caucasians. The shape of Persian alar cartilage is distinct from other ethnicities. CONCLUSIONS Alar cartilage anatomy varies across ethnic groups, and attention to the differences is recommended during preoperative planning and intraoperative technique when treating the nasal tip.