Paranasal Augmentation (Gwijok Surgery)

 669. Paranasal Augmentation (Gwijok Surgery)

Paranasal augmentation enhances the area beside the nose to correct a sunken midface and create a fuller, more refined appearance—hence the nickname “gwijok surgery,” meaning “aristocrat surgery” in Korean.

It differs from nasolabial fold correction. While it may slightly improve deep smile lines by volumizing the base of the folds, it doesn’t treat lines that extend to the mouth.

There are two main methods: artificial implants (like silicone or Gore-Tex), and autologous grafts using your own tissue. Artificial implants are inserted through an incision in the mouth and fixed with screws, but they may move or cause inflammation.

For a safer, more natural option, we prefer ultrafine rib cartilage grafting. A small incision (about 2cm) is made under the breast to harvest rib cartilage. It's ground into fine particles and injected through a nostril incision to sculpt the area, avoiding oral incisions and improving post-op comfort.

If the entire midface is recessed, grafts can be extended upward. For sharp nasolabial angles, grafting near the anterior nasal spine helps support the central face. Often, this is combined with fat grafting or cheek lift for balanced volume correction.

✨ Paranasal augmentation enhances the zone where the mid- and lower face meet, helping restore a youthful, elegant contour.

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