Anatomy, physiology, and general concepts in nasal reconstruction

Nasal reconstruction provides a challenging task for any facial plastic surgeon. In performing reconstructive surgery on the nose, one must balance both the functional aspects of the nasal airway with the aesthetic responsibilities of being the central fixture of the face. Before performing surgery, the surgeon must grasp the importance of the anatomic nasal relationships and subunits, the physiology of the skin, the flaps or grafts used to reconstruct these areas, and the basic steps in wound healing. Accurate preoperative planning and analysis of the nasal defect are also vital to producing both an aesthetic and functional nose.