Approach for Rhinoplasty in African Descendants

The main objectives of rhinoplasty in African descendants are to improve the definition and projection of the nasal tip, augment the dorsum, and reduce the alar base. Open rhinoplasty using costal cartilage graft, with lateral crural tensioning and septal extension graft associated with en bloc dorsal augmentation is the workhorse. Cartilage resections should be minimal. Oral isotretinoin and triamcinolone injection may improve tip definition. Surgical success ultimately depends on the ability of the surgeon to accurately identify the anatomic variables and reconcile these anatomic realities with the patient's aesthetic expectations and his or her sense of ethnic identity.