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CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2020; 47(01): 110-113
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2018.00185
Communication

Translational techniques from cleft to cosmetic rhinoplasty

Helen L Stark 
Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
,
Charles A Fries 
Department of Plastic Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
,
Nigel S Mercer 
The Cleft Unit of the South West of England, Bristol Dental Hospital, Bristol, UK
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Introduction

Rhinoplasty is considered a highly complex operation in both cosmetic and reconstructive practice. However, despite its potential pitfalls, a high degree of patient satisfaction can be achieved. Trends in European and North American cosmetic practice have shifted from patients seeking a “supra-normal” appearance to a “normal” appearance. As such, they seek a more individualized result, and the avoidance of an “operated-upon” look [1] [2]. More so than ever therefore, rhinoplasty surgeons must have a broad armamentarium of skills and techniques at their disposal to achieve optimal outcomes and patient satisfaction.

The cleft nose deformity is characteristic, but each is also unique. Thus, the skills developed by cleft surgeons in recognizing particular aspects of deformities and attaining individualized outcomes are closely aligned to this contemporary paradigm [3]. During training, plastic surgeons first encounter rhinoplasty in the fields of reconstructive, post-traumatic or cleft surgery. Addressing the anatomic anomalies present facilitates a better understanding of the anatomic and physiologic concepts that are translated to cosmetic practice. It is therefore instructive to reflect on the translatable lessons that may be gleaned from the practice of cleft rhinoplasty surgery.

In this paper, we describe the aberrant anatomy of the cleft nose and illustrate the conceptual approach to its correction. We also discuss a practical approach to performing rhinoplasty surgery.



Publication History

Received: 21 February 2018

Accepted: 21 June 2019

Article published online:
25 March 2022

© 2020. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, permitting unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

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