Recognizing Racial Heterogeneity in the Latino Nose: Aesthetic Concepts for an Individualized Approach

Latinos are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States, and there is a growing demand for aesthetic rhinoplasty in these patients. The authors provide an individualized, systematic approach for evaluation and improvement of surgical outcomes in Latino patients.

A retrospective review of patients identified as Latino who underwent primary rhinoplasty and those who did not but had documented nasal photographs was performed. Photographs and operative records were reviewed in detail. Specific aesthetic nasal characteristics, individualized surgical techniques, and aesthetic results were recorded.

The Latino nose has some characteristic nasal traits, including thick soft-tissue envelope, bulbous and underrotated tips, fatty hanging alae with propensity for anterior notching, weak underlying cartilaginous structures, and a propensity for alar flare worsened by depressor septi hyperactivity. Case review, however, demonstrates that there is moderate variability, with some patients demonstrating features more consistent with a European Caucasian nose and others displaying features more congruent with the black nose.

Addressing the Latino nose requires a firm understanding of the racial heterogeneity that exists within this patient population, ranging from features more consistent with the black nose to features more congruent with a European Caucasian nose. A patient's aesthetic goals should be thoroughly discussed to avoid racial incongruity. The authors provide an individualized, component approach to improving aesthetic outcomes in Latino rhinoplasty.