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Common
Tasks in Rhinoplasty
Even
though many surgeons have their own way of doing a rhinoplasty, there
are a number of tasks common to most methods.
Exposure
of the Skeleton of the Nose
- The
surgeon begins by exposing the underlying skeleton of bone and
cartilage. This is done by separating these structures from the
overlying skin. The incision is placed either inside the nose (closed
technique) or partly on the outside (open technique).
Septal
Surgery
- The
strip of cartilage which separates the two sides of the nose is called
the septum. It is sometimes bent and interferes with breathing; if so,
it may need to be straightened. If it is too long, it is often
shortened.
Shaping
the Profile
- Many
patients complain of a hump on the bridge (dorsum) of the nose. This is
usually made of both bone and cartilage. It is removed with scissors or
a saw. When the nose is flat, the profile may be augmented with grafts
of bone or cartilage.
Refining
the Tip
- If the
tip is large or boxy, much of the tip cartilage may be removed or
reshaped to refine the shape.
Narrowing
the Nasal Bones
- If the
bridge of the nose is wide, the surgeon will narrow it by fracturing the
bone on each side and moving it closer to the center.
Reducing
Nostril Flare
- If the
nostrils are flared, they may be reduced by removing a small wedge of
tissue from the base of the nose.
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