Does Bringing in the Side Lower Bones of the Nose Affect the Airway in Any Way?

asked 9 months ago by elise1984 in Cleveland, OH
Latest answer by Edmund Fisher, MD
Question viewed 107 times
Tags: breathing problems, narrow

Thank you for the helpful information to my earlier question of whether or not the lower side bones can be brought in medially towards the dorsum of the nose. I was wondering if this proc edure changes the airway size in any way or impacts breathing ability?

6 answers to Does Bringing in the Side Lower Bones of the Nose Affect the Airway in Any Way?

Reduction rhinoplasty affects nasal airway

Narrowing the nose by moving in the nasal bones towards the middle (lateral osteotomies) is an important and frequently used part of the surgical treatment plan to improve nasal appearance, especially after hump reduction. The nasal bones are attached to the upper cartilages of the nose and so they are also narrowed with this procedure. The internal nasal valve is narrowed, causing additional airway resistance in the valve. There are compensatory maneuvers that can also be performed to... more

Edmund Fisher, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nasal airway and manipulation of nasal bones

What you are referring to is called a "lateral osteotomy" done to narrow a "wide nose" and also done to correct what is known as an "open roof" deformity, which is resultant after e.g. removing a nasal hump and having an underlying defect (that is closed by moving the nasal bones together). Normally this does not affect the nasal airway, but it can. I would recommend a thorough discussion with either a plastic surgeon or ENT specialist to discuss these... more

Jerry Lugger, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Lateral Osteotomy, Airway Narrowing, and Spreader Grafts

Lateral osteotomies are performed to reduce/close an open roof deformity following dorsal hump reduction. In many situations this can be done without any airway compromise. Attached to the caudal (lower) edge of the lateral nasal bones are the upper lateral cartilages. The upper lateral cartilages will move with the nasal bones following lateral osteotomy. Thus, as the lateral nasal bones are moved medially, the upper lateral cartilages move medially as well; this can narrow the airway,... more

Kenneth Dembny, II, MD
Milwaukee Plastic Surgeon

Lateral osteotomies

Lateral osteotomies are necessary to close an open roof deformity. It should not affect the airway significantly.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Narrowing the nasal bones and the nasal airway

When the nasal bones are narrowed you do run the risk of compromising the nasal airway. Essentially you are making the area smaller through which you are breathing. Depending on the amount of narrowing that is perfomed, you may have a sense of a tighter or more obstructed airway. Because the nasal bones are also attached to the cartilages just below them, as the bones are narrowed, they can bring in the upper lateral cartilages as well. This also can contribute to... more

Gregory Branham, MD
Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Narrow

Performing lateral osteotomies to bring in the sides is almost mandatory to close the open roof created by hump removal. If done properly there should be no problems

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

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