Septorhinoplasty in children: benefits of the external approach

Following a series of septorhinoplasties performed on 28 children over a period of eight years as well as a review of the literature, the authors consider that the taboo on this sort of surgery would seem to have passed. Given that the septum plays a fundamental role in the projection of the nasomaxilliary complex, it is clear that certain surgical rules must be applied: the perichondrium must be left intact, no wide cartilaginous resections must be made, the areas of contact between the septum, the vomer, and the perpendicular lamina of the ethmoid must be reconstituted, and finally, the remodeled cartilage must be repositioned. For all of the above reasons, the external approach, performed on 20 children, is the best suited for this sort of operation. No serious long-term complications were observed.