Reshaping of the Anterior Nasal Spine: An Important Step in Rhinoplasty

The importance of analysis of the nasal spine should not be underestimated in the correct planning of rhinoplasty. Deformations in position with respect to the midline and/or in size are often present, and their correction to ensure harmony between the spine and the other components of the nasal pyramid constitutes a key step in rhinoplasty that can lead to excellent results. METHODS The study includes 160 patients who underwent surgical treatment of the anterior nasal spine with or without other techniques of nasal reshaping. Eighty-seven of these patients presented with hyperplasia of the nasal spine, 43 with hypoplasia, and 30 with deviation. A combination of deviation and hyperplasia was present in 15 cases. RESULTS No patients developed postoperative complications. Five patients who underwent anterior nasal spine reduction reported postoperative numbness in the premaxillary area, but sensitivity was fully regained within 4 months after surgery in these patients. All the patients reported postoperative improvement of nasal airflow. A total of 142 patients considered their postoperative aesthetic result as excellent and 18 as good. CONCLUSION The simplicity of the surgical procedures performed on the nasal spine and the marked aesthetic improvements thus achieved suggest that greater attention should be paid to this anatomical region.