ANATOMICAL RECONSTRUCTION VERSUS CAMOUFLAGE OF THE INFERIOR 2 3 OF THE NASAL-SEPTUM/

From an anatomical standpoint, the support of the inferior two thirds of the nose is ensured by the cartilaginous septum. Usually, the recon struction of total loss of the quadrangular cartilage is performed wit h some success by means of camouflage procedures such as L-shaped stru ts or cantilever grafts. In this article we report on four patients wh o presented with severe collapse of the inferior two thirds of the nos e. Although the cartilage was completely gone, the septal linings were intact on both sides. An anatomical reconstruction of the quadrangula r cartilaginous septum was performed, harvesting a cartilaginous rib g raft, carving it to reproduce the septal plate, and suturing it to the nasal spine. The short- and long-term follow-up showed satisfactory a esthetic and functional results, with good height of the nasal profile , adequate tip projection, and patency of the airways. No evidence of similar reports on this particular technique has been found in the lit erature.