Aesthetic rhinoplasty with maximum preservation of alar cartilages: experience with 52 consecutive cases.

Historically, rhinoplasty has been conceptualized mainly as an excisional and reductional operation of the nasal framework; however, there is growing evidence showing that conservatism in terms of preserving as much skeleton as possible makes the final results more predictable and more physiologic. On the basis of this point of view and using modifications of Tebbetts' technique, a prospective study of 52 patients presenting for primary open rhinoplasty was made. In all the cases, the cephalic portion of the lateral crus was preserved, and the procedure was designed basically to create a better anatomy from an aesthetic point of view. The results were evaluated aesthetically and by cephalometry, and patients showed improvement; native crura preservation was maximized. This report suggests more prospective studies need to be conducted to demonstrate the efficacy of these surgical variations on the average patient.