Management of the septum during rhinoplasty

Abstract

Septal deviation is the rule more than the exception in most cases of rhinoplasty. When deviation of the septum precludes a good rhinoplasty's functional and aesthetic results because of impairment of nasal air flow, residual deviation, or inadequate medialitation of the lateral nasal wall, a modified submucous resection of the deviated part is certainly indicated. If possible, a dorsocaudal L-strut of cartilage should be maintained, but, if necessary, it can be resected partially or totally and the support of this area reestablished by dorsal and columellar cartilage grafts. The authors recommend a bilateral mucoperichondrial-mucoperiosteal dissection of the septum from its caudal edge to the most posterior deviated part, because it provides easy septal resection in a good surgical field.