[Nasal dorsal augmentation]

The present article describes the anatomy, surgical technique and outcomes for nasal dorsal augmentation. The various materials available for augmentation are outlined, including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), autogenous costal cartilage graft and irradiated costal cartilage. In addition, appropriate surgical guidelines for successful augmentation are given. The correct height of the nasal dorsum is determined according to the position of the nasion and the nasal tip, whereby the desired height may also be influenced by the sex of the patient as well as his/her notion of an aesthetic ideal. Access is chosen according to the extent of the planned correction; external access is advisable in the case of extensive correction. Osteotomies should only be undertaken where unavoidable, e. g. in the case of concomitant nasal misalignment. Patient results, complications and future directions are presented.