Quantitative analysis of nasal tip projection

Abstract

Previously described methods for quantifying nasal tip projection were evaluated. Fifty-one nasal profiles were analyzed and scored by expert rhinoplastic surgeons. The noses and faces were then evaluated quantitatively using several methods. The methods were found to vary widely in their correlation with the experts' subjective analyses. Several helpful relationships and guides were obtained: 1. Aesthetic tip projection does not correlate well with upper lip length. 2. A new method described in this paper showed the best correlation with the experts' opinions (regression, r value = 0.8132). This method related tip projection to total nasal length (including upper lip length). 3. The second new method tested in this report yielded helpful data by comparing tip projection with overall facial length. 4. After slight modification the method previously described by Goode proved useful as nasal length and desired tip projection formed a 3:4:5 right triangle.