Recording projection of nasal landmarks in rhinoplasty

Because of difficulties in making accurate measurements from before and after photographs, we have devised measuring techniques not dependent upon exact reduplication of photographic circumstances before, during, and after surgery. Measuring devices contacting the head of the patient in specified ways are described. They allow simple and exact reduplication so that measurements made at different times can be compared. Lengths of nose and of columella and actual projection of brow, nasofrontal angle, rhinion, supratip region, the tip itself, and of the columella-labial junction can be measured. Tip rotation, cephalic or caudal, can be determined and quantitated. The devices and techniques for using them are described. We believe that employment of the suggested measuring techniques will allow better reporting of rhinoplastic methods and results should significantly increase our understanding of this complex surgical procedure.