[Combined nasal approach: maxilla-premaxilla approach and external approach]

A major aim of septo-rhinoplasty is the treatment of the internal and external nasal defects overall. We describe our technique with a combined external approach and maxilla-premaxilla approach in one surgical process. We present our functional and aesthetic results.

We analyse 16 patients that underwent septo-rhinoplasty using a combined approach; external approach and maxilla-premaxilla approach between 1999 and 2003. Anterior active rhinomanometry (RAA) and Anderson's scale to grade nose defects were performed before the operation and once again a year later. Furthermore, patients answered a visual analogical scale in order to know if they had noticed an improvement in nasal a year after the operation.

RAA showed significant improvement in nose flow by 100 Pa pressure with a total flow mean of 730 cm3/s after surgery. After the operation, the majority of patients felt a definitive improvement in their nasal respiration. Scores on Anderson's scale of nose defects showed a significant improvement in nasal defects after surgery p<0.001. We achieved also a significant improvement for each pyramidal subunit. There were no complications in the healing of incisions neither patients complained of them.

Nasal combined approach; external approach and maxilla-premaxilla approach in septo-rhinoplasty is a safe technique and allows functional and aesthetic improvement in nose defects, mainly in nasal base defects combined with septal defects.