[Rhinoplasty: medicolegal issues].

In rhinoplasty, satisfying the patient both aesthetically and functionally can be complex. In aesthetic surgery, the rhinoplastician has a reinforced obligation of means. In our experience, the functional outcome of the patient is closely linked to the morphological result. When a rhinoplasty provides the patient with full aesthetic satisfaction, even if he/she has breathing difficulties, there will be very few disputes. In primary rhinoplasty, unsatisfactory results occur in 15%-30% of the cases. While orally informing the patient is paramount, the practitioner must also have written proof of the information via documents given or sent to the various players including the patient. The taking of pre- and postoperative photographs is essential and the surgeon must keep them on file for support in case of conflict.