Rhinoplasty: lessons from "errors" : From anatomy and experience to the concept of sequential primary rhinoplasty

Reshaping the nose can be achieved following 3 main concepts: preservation and reshaping of normal anatomy, resection of nasal deformities, reconstruction of nasal framework. Time, experience and nasal anatomic knowledge are keys to understand nasal biomechanics.

To describe how experience and morphodynamic anatomy lead to a new concept of sequential primary rhinoplasty, resulting in reducing revision rhinoplasties.

Through 36 years' experience in different rhinoplasty procedures, 25 years in personal anatomic studies of the nose and reviewing the last 15 years including 600 patients who underwent new concepts in primary rhinoplasty out of 1200 patients operated during this period, the author analyzes how nasal anatomic layers, surgical approaches, and morphological effect of the time interact to modify the aesthetic results according to current rhinoplasty concepts.

Nasal bony cartilaginous vaults biomechanics understanding leads to consider the K‑area as a flexible joint which can be reshaped without resection of the nasal vaults. The role of the subdorsal septum is highlighted as the main anatomic structure which can be safely resected in rhinoplasty, and which allows to respect the natural anatomy, the nasal valves and the dorsal aesthetic lines. Description of nasal compartments divided by the "T" ligament leads to rethink the incisions and approaches of the nose: the interseptal-columellar and extended infracartilaginous incisions allow to protect nasal ligaments and to perform a deep plane undermining. Protection of the anatomic layers allows quick recovery, nasal function improvement and long-lasting results.

The goal to reduce the rate of revision rhinoplasty and to improve the natural results can be achieved, considering the concept of sequential primary rhinoplasty. Nasal soft tissues are protected as far as possible. The current rhinoplasty concepts are not antagonist but appear as an intraoperative succession of alternative techniques from anatomy and function preservation to reconstruction of the nasal framework.