Corrective rhinoplasty before puberty: a long-term follow-up

Our experience with corrective rhinoplasty performed between 8 and 12 years of age in 44 patients is presented. The operation included lateral and central osteotomies as well as adjustments of the alar cartilages and, in a few cases, septoplasty. Thirty-six patients had deformities associated with cleft lip; five had nasal trauma early in life; two had hemangioma; and one had a congenital large nose. The patients have been followed for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 8 years, and all were at least 15 years old at the time of evaluation. Photographic and physical anthropometric serial studies were used for assessment. The results of corrective rhinoplasty early in life are comparable in this series with the results of this operation when growth is complete. Nasal and facial growth were not altered when a complete, conservative, aesthetic rhinoplasty was performed before 12 years of age. The evidence from our series shows no contraindication for nasal correction in children when the psychological problems originated by a severe deformity at that difficult age can be prevented or alleviated.