The Importance of the Anterior Septal Angle in the Open Dorsal Approach to Rhinoplasty.

Abstract

Functional and aesthetic manipulation of the nose relies on a detailed understanding of nasal anatomy and a meticulous dissection. Maneuvers are performed in four regions of the nose: nasal tip, dorsum, posterior septum, and caudal septum. Positioned at the cornerstone of these regions, the anterior septal angle acts as a point of reference, especially in secondary rhinoplasty. Identification of the anterior septal angle early in the nasal dissection aids in reliable exposure, either wide or limited, and facilitates desired maneuvers. In addition, alteration of the position of the anterior septal angle can affect nasal tip projection, especially in cases such as the tension tip deformity. The authors emphasize the importance of the anterior septal angle in their simplified methodology for the open dorsal approach in rhinoplasty.