Curved lateral osteotomy for airway protection in rhinoplasty.

Lateral osteotomies performed posteriorly enough to avoid step-like prominences at the sides of the nose may allow medial displacement of bone to impinge on the airways. This obstruction near the floor of the nasal passageway is prevented by leaving a triangular piece of bone at the pyriform aperture intact just superior to the level of the inferior turbinate. A curved lateral osteotomy, as described here, cuts bone posteriorly only where aesthetic narrowing is required in rhinoplasty. Techniques providing the recommended curved or angulated lateral osteotomies with osteotomes are demonstrated in the cadaver and in patients.