External approach to rhinoplasty

The external approach to rhinoplasty offers several distinct advantages over the classical endonasal approach for incising, excising, repositioning, and augmenting the framework of the nose for functional and aesthetic improvement. The history of external rhinoplasty, advantages and alleged disadvantages are discussed; personal experience since 1982 is outlined. Various nasal deformities which have been corrected using the external approach are listed and several are discussed and illustrated. This report presents an overview of the technique of external rhinoplasty which will become even more popular as the advantages continue to be recognized by more nasal surgeons.