Nasal reconstruction of the leprosy nose using costal cartilage

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection of the skin and peripheral nerves that often leads to gross deformation of the nasal skeleton and subsequent formation of a saddle-nose deformity. Reconstruction of the nose following Mycobacterium leprae infection has challenged surgeons for centuries. As a result, a number of different techniques have been attempted with varying outcomes. This article describes the case and surgical treatment of a 37-year old female who presented with a subtotal nasoseptal perforation and saddle-nose deformity secondary to previous infection with leprosy. Reconstruction was achieved via an open septorhinoplasty approach using autologous costal cartilage grafts, yielding a successful postoperative result.