627. <Deviated Nose Correction>
A deviated nose correction is a type of rhinoplasty that corrects both the external shape and internal structure of a nose that has deviated from the central axis. Both cosmetic and functional corrections are usually performed together.
A deviated nose can result from trauma during childhood that leads to deformation, but it may also occur due to habitual behaviors developed during the growth process. For example, if one consistently sleeps while lying on one side, the nose may be gradually pushed in that direction. Over time, this causes one side of the nose to have a gentle slope and the other side a steep slope.
Similarly, a habitual one-sided smile can cause the nose to deviate. This is because the asymmetric contraction of muscles around the nose can pull the tip of the nasal cartilage to one side, resulting in a crooked nose. The levator labii superioris alaeque nasi muscle originates from the maxilla near the nasal root and inserts into the nasal ala and upper lip, lifting both when contracted. The depressor septi nasi muscle arises near the incisive fossa of the maxilla and inserts into the septal cartilage and tip cartilage, pulling the nasal tip downward during contraction. When one habitually raises the right side of their lip in a crooked smile, the nasal ala is pulled to the right, and the depressor septi nasi on the same side also pulls downward. This creates a C-shaped deviation. If the pull is to the opposite side, an S-shaped deviation can occur. The shape of the deviation depends on how severely the septal cartilage is bent and the asymmetric contraction of the depressor septi nasi muscle on each side.
Additionally, the levator labii superioris muscle pulls the upper lip upward, and during smiling, the area beside the nose is lifted. This interferes with the movement of the nasal ala. The zygomaticus muscles, when overused in a crooked smile, can develop asymmetrically. This causes differences in the flaring of the nostrils, leading to visible asymmetry. Especially when the nasal septum is weak, a long history of crooked smiling makes deviation more likely.
Such a crooked smile often stems from an uncomfortable or distorted emotional state. A twisted mind leads to asymmetrical muscle use in the face, which eventually results in a crooked nose.
So how should a deviated nose be corrected? Since asymmetrical muscle habits can lead to asymmetrical bone structure, re-correction of the nasal bones is necessary. This is done by performing lateral osteotomy on the sides of the nasal bones, and if needed, medial osteotomy may also be added. If there was a previous nasal fracture, osteotomy can follow the old fracture lines.
Correcting only the outer nose while neglecting the inner structure, such as the septum, is insufficient. A simultaneous correction of the nasal septum allows for both functional and cosmetic improvement. Therefore, it is common to perform septoplasty for a deviated septum (see 623mm) in conjunction with the procedure, which often includes trimming the lower portion. It is important to assess not just the external shape but also the airflow through the nostrils before surgery to determine whether nasal obstruction is present on one side.
In cases of asymmetry due to depressor septi nasi or a sharp nasolabial angle, dissection near the anterior nasal spine is performed. Cartilage grafts using diced cartilage can be placed to reduce the influence of the depressor septi nasi, helping to prevent recurrence and drooping of the nasal tip.
Also, with prolonged one-sided crooked smiling, the area around the nose tends to become sunken on the active side. This occurs because muscles like the levator labii superioris alaeque nasi contract to lift the nasal ala and upper lip inward, while the zygomaticus pulls the corner of the mouth outward and upward. This muscle hypertrophy compresses the surrounding bone and drains subcutaneous fat energy from the area, resulting in volume loss and hollowing.
This imbalance causes the nasal tip to shift toward the dominant side of the smile. In such cases, a structural augmentation around the nose is required. Using diced costal cartilage grafts, the sunken area on the smiling side should be more heavily grafted, while the opposite side receives less grafting. This rebalances the nasal tip and recenters both the nasal bridge and tip.
In this way, diced costal cartilage can be inserted over the deviated nasal bridge following lateral osteotomy, effectively masking the crooked contour. Simultaneous grafting around the nose provides a more fundamental correction of the deviated nose.
[Deviated nose correction is a procedure to straighten a nose distorted by a distorted mind.]
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