[Ethnic rhinoplasty - type changing or type preserving?]

We observe an annual augmentation of rhinoplasties to patients with migration background. This article illustrates the special features of the design and procedure of the operation considering the ethnic factors.

We present a review of patients with Middle Eastern origin, their nasal characteristics, their psychological specificities, specific expectations and some surgical concepts referring to a selective literature review.

The Middle Eastern nose with a few exceptions offers a combination of specific characteristics. This requires detailed discussions and a thorough preoperative evaluation. More-over, both the psychological specificities and the expectations of patients should not be disregarded. The treatment of patients with a Middle Eastern background requires a particular empathy. In addition to the anatomic characteristics, expectations, role models and the ethnic behaviour in the pre- and postoperative period must all be considered. In the expectations of the patients the surgeons should be familiar with the Middle Eastern role models. The possibilities and the surgical limits can be discussed in detail with the patient and unrealistic expectations should be avoided.

The increased mix of ethnic groups requires a new approach to aesthetic rhinoplasty, which aims primarily to provide individual solutions. Middle Eastern noses represent one of the most demanding challenges in rhinoplasty which lead to dramatic changes and to deeply grateful patients for which a lot of experience is required. Therefore the surgeon has to be highly specialised in Middle Eastern Nose rhinoplasty.