BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness, indications, and contraindications of the extracorporeal approach in treating a severely deviated nose. METHODS: Sixty-four patients operated on for aesthetic correction of a severely deviated nose were studied. Forty-six of them were first operations and 18 were revision cases. The surgical procedure of choice was the closed technique. Septal cartilage was prepared and then dislocated, followed by external alignment and reimplantation. Hump reduction with lateral osteotomies and, occasionally, medial dislocation of nasal bones was carried out. RESULTS: Cosmetic results were satisfactory in all first operation cases. In 11 of the 18 revision cases, septal preparation was impossible; in 2, septal sagging was observed; and in 1, perforation was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal septoplasty is an effective, safe, and reliable technique, especially for twisted noses undergoing surgery for the first time. However, it is strongly contraindicated in a revised deviated nose.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness, indications, and contraindications of the extracorporeal approach in treating a severely deviated nose. METHODS: Sixty-four patients operated on for aesthetic correction of a severely deviated nose were studied. Forty-six of them were first operations and 18 were revision cases. The surgical procedure of choice was the closed technique. Septal cartilage was prepared and then dislocated, followed by external alignment and reimplantation. Hump reduction with lateral osteotomies and, occasionally, medial dislocation of nasal bones was carried out. RESULTS: Cosmetic results were satisfactory in all first operation cases. In 11 of the 18 revision cases, septal preparation was impossible; in 2, septal sagging was observed; and in 1, perforation was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal septoplasty is an effective, safe, and reliable technique, especially for twisted noses undergoing surgery for the first time. However, it is strongly contraindicated in a revised deviated nose.