Double lateral osteotomy in aesthetic rhinoplasty

Lateral osteotomy is a very important step in a cosmetic rhinoplasty; it allows the surgeon to narrow the nose, to close the open roof created after hump removal, and to achieve symmetry of an asymmetrical nasal bony framework. In most patients a single lateral osteotomy reaches the expected result, with excellent cosmetic outcome, good stability, and rapid heating. We find that double lateral osteotomy is useful in managing severe asymmetry of nasal watts in patients with too prominent and thick maxillary processes that join asymmetrically together with nasal bones. It is also valuable in correcting very large and wide noses. We review our experience of about 1660 rhinoplasties with more than one year follow-up. Two hundred and ten cases (12.65%) had been treated with monolateral, or bilateral double osteotomy. We evaluate postoperative aesthetic and functional results. (C) 2004 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.