[Therapy of saddle nose].

Three types of saddle-nose deformities can be distinguished: 1. the pseudo-saddle nose, 2. the slight saddle nose, 3. the extensive saddle nose. The pseudo-saddle nose may show a depression of the cartilaginous dorsum due to a hump, frequently accompanied by widening of the bony bridge and a prominent nasal tip. Satisfactory correction of this type of deformity can often be obtained by resecting the pseudohump, narrowing the nasal bridge by osteotomy and shortening by excision of cartilage from the caudal border of the septum and from the alar region. Slight and extensive saddle noses are based on the less of the cartilaginous and/or the bony framework of the nose. In such cases reconstruction of the framework of the nose using suitable implants is required. We must differentiate between three types of implants: 1. synthetic material, 2. bone grafts, 3. cartilage grafts. Costal cartilage grafts are preferred by the author for implantation. Possible complications of cartilage grafts, such as resorption and a tendency to torsion, as well as their prevention, are discussed.