ABSTRACT

The nose has great importance cosmetically because of its central position. Its shape clearly matters to individuals, as evidenced by the number of people who seek some form of nasal reshaping. Surgery on the nose is therefore accompanied, more than for most other areas, by anxiety that it might result in deformity, asymmetry or an adverse result. It is true that there is less room for manoeuvre than in many other sites. This means that the doctor must be aware of all the possible methods of treatment to advise on the best approach to deal with a particular problem. The thick, sebaceous skin, prominent position and subtle shape and curves of the nose make it liable to cosmetic problems after surgery. As with many other areas of the skin, it is difficult to predict the likely cosmetic outcome of a procedure; after extensive repairs there can be little to see whereas sometimes even small excisions can leave a prominent mark.