[External lateral osteotomy in rhinoplasty for the correction of nasal dorsal deviations]

We present a revision of 45 patients with nasal deviation operated on between 1993 and 2001. Septorhinoplasties were done in all cases using the external lateral nasal osteotomies technique. 67% of our patients were male and 33% were female with a mean age of 25. In all cases a septoplasty was performed. To correct nasal deviation, medial osteotomies through an intercartilaginous approach and external lateral nasal osteotomies were done. We did a postoperative follow-up of 35 patients. In terms of patient satisfaction, 78% of them felt that their nasal appearance had improved after surgery, and 22% felt that they had a great improvement. One case had to be reoperated on because of a traumatic nasal fracture after surgery. We believe this technique offers important advantages, such as: an excellent control of the fracture line, fewer incidences of open roof and lateral step, without causing visible scars.