Electrocautery for Cartilage Camouflage in Rhinoplasty: A Case Report

Rhinoplasty is usually associated with adding and subtracting tissues around structural cartilages to provide favorable contour. Minor corrections in cartilage shape and position, may have significant effect on final result. Upon last look in rhinoplasty, surgeon decides to do refinement, especially in thin skin patients. Traditionally blades and scissors are commonly available instruments to apply refinement. We examined a different solution in some patients and here presented our experience in a 36 yr old female in Tehran, Iran. Upon completion all stages of surgery such as osteotomy and cartilage sutures and before skin closure, surgeon examined the nose and if there was any minor hump on dorsum or asymmetric prominence of lower lateral cartilage, he could apply low voltage electrocautery with strict control to do camouflage. This may help surgeon to administer last monitoring before closure. Blades and scissors are commonly used to remove extra marginal cartilages, and reduce remained cartilage hump. We noticed low voltage electrocautery may provide smoother dorsum or even curves with more control during final curve.