ABSTRACT

Septal haematoma is a surgical emergency for two reasons. First, the stripping up of the mucoperichondrium lining the cartilage of the septum leads to a loss of blood supply to that cartilage. If the blood is not evacuated promptly, and the perichondrial membrane re-applied, there is a high risk that the cartilage will necrose (die) and collapse. This will deprive the supratip areathe part of the nose directly superior to the tip-of its support. Supratip depression of the nasal contour will then occur, producing an ugly cosmetic deformity also known as a saddle nose.