Highly Respected Facial Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Dean Toriumi, Uses Specialized Techniques for a Natural Looking Bridge for Rhinoplasty Patients

    MARINA DEL REY, CA, March 05, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Correction: In the last press release we submitted, we noted that Dr. Toriumi was listed as one of the five best rhinoplasty surgeons in the world according to Chicago Magazine's "Top Doctor" issue. In November, 2000, W Magazine, not Chicago Magazine, named Dr. Toriumi one of the five best rhinoplasty surgeons in the world. We regret the error.

Since many rhinoplasty patients don't have adequate height to their nasal bridge, an enhancement will require "building" a natural looking nasal dorsum. In response to these needs, Dr. Dean Toriumi has developed a technique to create a more natural looking and prominent. Among other measures, Dr. Dean Toriumi uses rib cartilage for nasal dorsal augmentation.

"Many patients who come in asking for a more prominent natural nasal bridge are Asian or Asian American. But many patients undergo surgery to raise their dorsum for a more prominent bridge," says Dr. Toriumi.

"We have been able to accomplish making a natural looking, more prominent nasal bridge in many ways," says Dr. Toriumi. "A popular option is to use injection of a filler material to increase the dorsal height, but having witnessed numerous problems with this procedure, I typically advise my patients against this," he explains. Dr. Dean Toriumi suggests the use of rib cartilage to raise the nasal dorsum.

"Using rib cartilage is a more complex method as it requires harvesting rib cartilage from the chest. It must be carved out carefully to prevent warping," he further explains, "This procedure should only be done by an extremely experienced surgeon," Dr. Toriumi continues.

Dr. Dean Toriumi is one of the most experienced physicians in this field, typically performing over 100 rib cartilage grafts per year, according to Dr. Toriumi. His technique using minimizes problems associated with using cartilage for dorsal augmentation, such as the movement of the graft on the bridge due to the lack of good fixation.

Dr. Dean Toriumi's technique involves harvesting the covering of a rib called the perichondrium, a thick layer of fascial tissue that covers the rib, at the same time he harvests the rib cartilage. The graft is then carved to the appropriate shape. Then, a strip of perichondrium is sutured under the surface of the dorsal graft. Then, according to Dr. Toriumi, the bony bridge is rasped with an instrument to create raw surface. The dorsal graft is then placed on the rasped bony bridge and the perichondrium fixes to the bone. This creates an immobile dorsal graft. The perichondrium will act like velcro so the dorsal graft will fix into place.

According to Dr. Toriumi, many surgical methods are used to raise the bridge in a patient. Typically, this is done by placing an implant or tissue graft onto the bridge of the nose. For example, in Asia, it is very popular to have a silicone implant placed on the bridge to create height and definition. Dr. Dean Toriumi explains, "While some patients who undergo this procedure do well, some may develop an infection or an extrusion of the implant." Additionally, explains Dr. Toriumi, these implants can feel unnatural and some may even move freely over the bridge of the nose.

"Another issue I've seen is the warping of the cartilage that can leave a severe deformity of the dorsum," Dr. Dean Toriumi explains. Dr. Toriumi's approach prevents this by using the special carving techniques and employing specific parameters when choosing the proper graft for the dorsum. "On occasion, a dorsal graft may be visible at the juncture between the nasal bridge and the graft," notes Dr. Dean Toriumi. Dr. Toriumi continues, "This can be prevented by placing perichondrium along this juncture to camouflage it. The combination of all of these maneuvers help create a natural appearing nasal dorsum that is long lasting and immobile."

For more information please see http://www.deantoriumi.com/

Dean M. Toriumi, MD
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
900 N. Michigan Ave. 60 East Delaware Street, Suite 1460
Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: 312-255-8812

Email: [email protected]

# # #