Anterior wedge excision in deflected nasal dorsum. A pilot study

Correction of a deflected nasal dorsum and deviated septum is perhaps the most common problem in daily rhinosurgical practice. Up til now the basic principle of all surgical methods employed has been total mobilization. However, recurrences are seen. It is difficult to judge the importance of these results as no objective measurements are brought. In a new concept an anterior wedge is removed on the "long" side, leaving the rest of this side as support of the otherwise totally mobilized nose. In a pilot study of 36 patients the angle of deflection was measured on pre- and postoperative standardized photos. A median undercorrection of 1.5 degrees and 0.5 degree was obtained for the osseous and cartilaginous dorsum respectively, and the result was stable. The mean follow-up was 16.2 months (range 9-41 months).