Lateral Nasal Osteotomy

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the external lateral nasal osteotomy with internal osteotomy in patients undergoing closed rhinoplasty with reference to intraoperative bleeding, duration of surgery, the ease of performing osteotomy, postoperative oedema, ecchymosis, and postsurgery esthetic satisfaction of patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 individuals of either sex with external nasal deformities were enrolled to the study and randomly allocated into two groups: Group I: Internal continuous osteotomy and Group II: External percutaneous perforating osteotomy. Data were collected and analyzed in terms of age and sex distribution, history of associated trauma, presence or absence of deviated nasal septum, presence of intraoperative bleed, the ease of performing each technique, duration of surgery, associated lid edema and ecchymosis, and final aesthetic correction. Results: External osteotomy is an easy approach to carry out and makes lateral osteotomy fracture lines with high precision. The damage to the nasal mucosa is much less. There is reduced bleeding, reduced edema and reduced ecchymosis around eyes. The postsurgery esthetic satisfaction is also higher among external osteotomy patients. Conclusion: The study concludes that external technique delivers a better and predictable control with precision to maximize the esthetic and functional results while limiting the potential for complication. It causes less tissue injury and provides higher confidence in being able to be performed. Moreover, the postsurgery esthetic satisfaction of Group II patients was higher, making it a preferable option for the surgeon and the patient as well.