Rhinoplasty – Open with Functional Airway

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The patient is a woman in her 50’s who had long standing bilateral right greater than left difficulty breathing.  CT scan showed an adequate airway.  After observation, the patient demonstrated dynamic collapse of the external nasal valve.  In non-doctor talk, when she took a deep breath, her nostrils collapsed.  Via an open approach, cartilage from the septum and parts of the upper and lower alar cartilages were used to form a reinforced tripod structure in the nasal tip.  Post op, she had much improved breathing and fewer headaches.  While the patient had no aesthetic concerns, the repair also made her tip more symmetric and aesthetic.