Rhinoplasty in the Andean Patient

Abstract

Objective: Rhinoplasty is one of the most frequently performed surgeries and sought after worldwide. There are different types of races, such as African, Mediterranean, Middle East, Asian, European, and Latin American. The standards of beauty have changed over time, and rhinologists should know the standard of beauty for each race. The Andean nose (part of Latin America) requires intense work; osteocartilaginous humps are generally rather prominent; the skin tends to be at the thick nasal tip and lower lateral cartilages with little or no basal medium, which requires in most cases the use of structural grafts and intensive management of membranous septum. It is important to know what characteristics must be preserved and what features should be modified. The Caucasian nose and even other Latin American noses differ greatly from the Andean (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia) nose, and therefore, the management should be fully individualized in each case in order to provide realistic patient surgical options according to their anatomic characteristics. This presentation aims to make known some features of the Andean race, as well as some tips and tricks to better manage their patients. Method: Transversal study from July 2006 to July 2012 (6 years). Six hundred rhinoplasty surgeries were performed. Results: Andean rhinoplasty differs from conventional surgery and requires an individualized approach and management. Conclusion: We present a new armamentarium for your practice to manage Andean patients (Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia) and perform a most succesful rhinoplastic surgery.