Dorsal nasal reconstruction using bone harvested from the mandible

Abstract

Purpose This article describes a technique for reconstructing nasal deformities resulting from trauma. Bone harvested from the lateral ramus/body of the mandible is used to provide nasal support for major nasal deformities. Patients and Methods Ten patients underwent repair of their nasal deformities with an autogenous bone graft harvested from the mandible. Primary bone grafting was used to repair a nasal deformity associated with a naso-orbito-ethmoidal fracture in 8 patients. Secondarily, 2 patients underwent placement of a graft for correction of a saddle nose deformity. Results All patients achieved aesthetic results. There was maintenance of nasal projection and symmetry without displacement of the graft. None of the patients complained of an unnatural hardness of the nasal tip or dorsum. All grafts healed without evidence of infection, dehiscence, or necrosis. Conclusion The lateral ramus/body of the mandible provide an excellent donor site alternative for nasal reconstruction.