Influence of lateral osteotomies in the dimensions of the nasal cavity.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the importance of placement of lateral osteotomy in rhinoplasty at a level above or below the insertion of the inferior turbinate at the pyriform aperture. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled lateral osteotomies were performed in 16 cadaver noses. Eight of the lateral ostetomies were placed below (low) and eight were placed above (high) the insertion of the inferior turbinate. In all 16 noses medial osteotomies were performed. Dimensions of the nasal cavity were measured by acoustic rhinometry before and after the osteotomies. METHODS: The total minimum cross-sectional area (TMCA) and the cross-sectional area at the pyriform aperture (TCA-3.3) were calculated and the preoperative and postoperative values were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the reduction of cross-sectional area in the group that underwent high lateral osteotomy compared with the group the underwent low lateral osteotomy. In both groups the TMCA was reduced, with 12% of the value (P = .001) before osteotomy, and the TCA-3.3 was reduced, with 15% of the value before osteotomy (P = .000). CONCLUSIONS: After lateral and medial ostetomies a significant decrease in the anterior dimensions of the nose is observed. The decrease following osteotomy does not seem to be due to the placement of the lateral osteotomy at the pyriform aperture but rather to the detachment of the bony vault from the surrounding structures.