Modern rhinoplasty

Modern nasal surgery cannot be approached from an exclusive cosmetic or an exclusive functional prospective. An exclusive cosmetic approach to rhinoplasty is conceptually incorrect and surgically limited as the nose has more than an aesthetic purpose, as it is a complex organ considering its respiratory, sensory and cleansing functions. At the same time, nasal surgery that only considers functional aspects is no longer acceptable if little consideration is given to the external aspect of the nose. For many years, the general opinion has been that plastic surgeons are best suited for aesthetic intervention, while an otolaryngologist should correct a functional problem. As a consequence, the enormous developments in aesthetic surgery have been such that requests for rhinoplasty were very often performed outside of the EnT department, even if otolaryngologists pioneered the surgery, in both italy and abroad. in italy, in 1998, the AiCEF-rcf (Associazione orl di Chirurgia Estetica Funzionale rino-Cervico-Facciale italian EnT Association of Facial Plastic Surgery) was founded, affiliated with the Sio and EAFPS, which groups surgical specialists and residents in otolaryngology with specific interests and experience in nasal, facial and cervical surgery, with functional, plastic-reconstructive and aesthetic aims. Today, it is obvious that this trend is reversing, and rhinoplasty has returned to be part of the professional competence of many otolaryngologists who are devoted with enthusiasm and passion to this fascinating intervention. it is with pride that we can now say that a large part of the credit for this resurgence of otolaryngologists in rhinoplasty surgery can be attributed to the activities of our association in promoting courses, workshops and meetings aimed at the diffusion of rhinoplasty among members and EnT specialists. This special edition, for which the AiCEF is extremely grateful to the Sio as it endorsed its realization, is dedicated to rhinoplasty with the intent of stimulating even more interest among otolaryngologists.