ENDOSCOPIC-ASSISTED CORRECTION OF THE DEVIATED NOSE

The approach to nasal bone classic corrective rhinoplasty is an almost -blind technique, where the results depends on feeling by the surgeon' s hand. To overcome these drawbacks, endoscopic-assisted corrective rh inoplasty and septoplasty were performed for 16 cases of deviated nose s between January 1995 and May 1997. The average follow-up period was 18 months. All patients were evaluated by symmetrical nasal pyramid, r ecurrence of the bony deflection, and septal deviation. The postoperat ive courses were satisfactory in most cases, with few complications. C ompared with 28 cases of classic rhinoplasty, the patient satisfaction rate was high (87.5% in endoscopic-assisted rhinoplasty, 71.4% in cla ssic rhinoplasty), and the complication and revision rate was low (0% in endoscopic assisted rhinoplasty, 14.3 and 7.1% in classic rhinoplas ty). But extra time (about 40 min) and greater expense were required f or endoscopic-assisted rhinoplasty. It appeared to us that endoscopic control during corrective rhinoplasty and septoplasty is a big step to ward obtaining better results in bony and cartilage resection with ext reme precision under monitor control and magnification. This technique is not an open approach but permits one to see more of the nasal skel eton and bony septum, the cause of the deformity, and the immediate ef fect of the corrective measures used. The use of an endoscope in corre ctive rhinoplasty for deviated noses provides an expanded field of vis ion, direct manipulation of lesions, and better aesthetic and function al results.