361 Rhinoplasty: The Asymmetric Crooked Nose— An Overview Aaron M. Kosins, MD1 Rollin K. Daniel, MD1 Dananh P. Nguyen, BS1 1 Department of Plastic Surgery, University of California, Irvine Medical Address for correspondence Aaron M. Kosins, MD, 1441 Avocado Center, Orange, California Ave., Suite 308, Newport Beach, CA 92660 (e-mail: [email protected]). Facial Plast Surg 2016;32:361–373. Abstract There are three reasons why the asymmetric crooked nose is one of the greatest challenges in rhinoplasty surgery. First, the complexity of the problem is not appre- ciated by the patient nor understood by the surgeon. Patients often see the obvious deviation of the nose, but not the distinct differences between the right and left sides. Surgeons fail to understand and to emphasize to the patient that each component of the nose is asymmetric. Second, these deformities can be improved, but rarely made flawless. For this reason, patients are told that the result will be all “–er words,” better, Keywords straighter, cuter, but no “t-words,” there is no perfect nor straight. Most surgeons fail to ► crooked nose realize that these cases represent asymmetric noses on asymmetric faces with the ► rhinoplasty variable of ipsilateral and contralateral deviations. Third, these cases demand a wide ► septoplasty range of sophisticated surgical techniques, some of which have a minimal margin of ► asymmetric nose error. This article offers an in-depth look at analysis, preoperative planning, and surgical ► osteotomies techniques available for dealing with the asymmetric crooked nose. There are three reasons why the asymmetric crooked nose Review of Literature is one of the greatest challenges in rhinoplasty surgery. First, the complexity of the problem is not appreciated by The initial description of the crooked nose and its surgical the patient nor understood by the surgeon. Patients often management were linked to posttraumatic and congenital – see the obvious deviation of the nose, but not the distinct deformities.1 6 Converse stated that “the deviated or twisted differences between the right and left sides. Surgeons fail to nose is most often of traumatic origin.”3 With time, surgeons understand and to emphasize to the patient that each began to emphasize the importance of correcting inherent – component of the nose is asymmetric. Second, these defor- septal deviations while maintaining septal support.3 5 Sur- mities can be improved, but rarely made flawless. For this geons combined these septal concepts with treatment algo- reason, patients are told that the result will be all “–er rithms for the bony vault to obtain a more comprehensive words,” better, straighter, cuter, but no “t-words,” there is approach.4,6 To treat the upper third of the nose, medial and no perfect nor straight. Most surgeons fail to realize that lateral osteotomies were used to allow total movement of the This document was downloaded for personal use only. Unauthorized distribution is strictly prohibited. these cases represent asymmetric noses on asymmetric bony walls, thus avoiding postoperative relapse.2 Asymmetric faces with the variable of ipsilateral and contralateral and multiple osteotomies were employed compared with the deviations. Third, these cases demand a wide range of standard aesthetic rhinoplasties.6 Internal, external, and dou- sophisticated surgical techniques, some of which have a ble-level osteotomies can be done to achieve greater symmetry minimal margin of error. This article offers an in-depth of the nasal bones. Regarding the middle third, it has long been look at analysis, preoperative planning, and surgical tech- recognized that intrinsic and extrinsic cartilaginous forces are niques available for dealing with the asymmetric crooked responsible for the crooked nose.2,4 The extrinsic deforming nose. forces must be released and has been done in the following Issue Theme Challenging Problems in Copyright © 2016 by Thieme Medical DOI http://dx.doi.org/ Rhinoplasty; Guest Editor, Hossam M.T. Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, 10.1055/s-0036-1585421. Foda, MD New York, NY 10001, USA. ISSN 0736-6825. Tel: +1(212) 584-4662. 362 Rhinoplasty: The Asymmetric Crooked Nose Kosins et al. manner: (1) the cartilaginous vault is split by detaching the A standard consultation sequence is as follows: (1) the patient upper lateral cartilages from the dorsal septum, (2) the septum is asked what three things bother him or her the most about is exposed by elevating the restrictive perichondrium, and (3) his or her nose, (2) the external nose is examined from all four the lower lateral cartilages are separated from the upper lateral views, (3) the internal nose is examined before and after cartilages at the scroll region either directly or by cephalic trim. decongestant spray, including air flow through each nostril Once this has been completed, the intrinsic septal deformities on deep inspiration, and (4) the findings are recorded and can be assessed. Correcting septal deformities is critical to explained to the patient. Endoscopy can be added as neces- treating the crooked nose. Maintenance of a 10- to 15-mm sary. Photographs are taken in four standard views plus L-strut of cartilage is essential to support the cartilaginous additional partial head-up, partial head-down, and top- dorsum. Methods of scoring, excision, spreader grafts, spread- down (helicopter) views. The reality of nasal and facial er flaps, and extramucosal replacement of the septum have asymmetry within the context of embryology and develop- been used to straighten the dorsum.3,4,6 Treatment of internal ment is explained to the patient. valve collapse and inferior turbinate hypertrophy is para- In our practice, the extent of asymmetry is recorded on the mount to correct the functionally compromised airway of a consent page. It is our conclusion that more than 98% of crooked nose. Caudal nasal deviation has been treated with patients have a face with a strong right side and weak left side, scoring, excision, excision and replacement, and repositioning with the right nasal bone being convex and the left nasal bone of the septum on the anterior nasal spine (ANS).5 Fracture of being concave. In the majority of cases, the facial midline is the ANS has also been described if this bony structure is deviated to the right. As regards the nasal and facial devia- deviated.6 tions, there are two possible deformities: the nasal and facial Intrinsic deformities of the lower lateral cartilages can also midlines are deviated to the same side (ipsilateral) or to cause nasal deviation.7 These asymmetries can result in differ- opposite sides (contralateral). We have found that the partial ent lengths of the medial and middle crura, as well as concavity head-down view best illustrates the severity of septal devia- and convexity differences in both the vertical and horizontal tion, while the partial head-up view best illustrates asymme- axes of the lateral crura.8 This asymmetry can be subtle or try of the bony vault and that of the maxilla (►Fig. 1). The top- extreme in the form of congenital deficiencies of alar cartilage down or “helicopter” view reveals the complexity of the viewed as divisions, gaps, and segmental loss.9 Columellar problem, especially if the forehead is used as a horizontal struts, tip suturing techniques, and excision of both medial and and midline reference. lateral crura have been used to correct these deviations.10,11 The more severe the asymmetry, the more valuable a It is only recently that surgeons have emphasized the computed tomography (CT) scan of the face with three- dominant role of inherent asymmetry as the critical factor dimensional reformation becomes.14 With these scans, sev- in managing the nontraumatic crooked nose. Daniel coined the eral measurements can be taken to measure the finite asym- term the “asymmetric developmentally deviated nose” metries from the midline, including upper and lower width of (ADDN) to emphasize the role of asymmetry and development the pyriform aperture, differences in height of the maxillae, in the etiology of the problem.12 Vuyk pointed out that the ANS deviation, and dental deviation. The analyze tool is used crooked nose often exists on the asymmetric face, and these to measure linear and angular distance. In addition, bony and asymmetries can come in multiple patterns.13 Based on this soft tissue landmarks can be evaluated.15 CT scans allow the review, it is obvious that there is a distinct continuum between surgeon to define the preexisting nasal and facial midlines as the crooked and the asymmetric nose. The term crooked is well as to decide where the postoperative midline should be. defined as bent, curved, or twisted out of shape or out of place. For example, in certain cases, the asymmetry of the nose can In contrast, the term asymmetric refers to having two sides or be complicated by rotational deformities of the maxilla with halves that are not the same. Thus, the surgeon approaches the the ANS deviated 10 mm and the caudal septum deviated crooked nose with a goal of restoring the nose to its original 14 mm from the desired facial midline (►Fig. 2). Operative shape and position. In contrast, the surgeon must approach the planning is recorded throughout the examination process. asymmetric nose with the understanding that the problem is This document was downloaded for personal use only. Unauthorized distribution is strictly prohibited. even more complex and that two sides of the nose have never Components been symmetrical. Thus, the surgical objective is not restora- tion, but rather creation of a more attractive, symmetrical The following is our comprehensive approach and treatment nose. Essentially, everything that contributes to the crooked plan for managing a patient with ADDN. In general, one can nose—osseocartilaginous vaults, septal deviation, etc.—is fur- set an intercanthal or intraeyebrow midline and draw a ther compounded in ADDN by asymmetry in all components of vertical through this point to serve as the theoretical midline the nose and even the face.