[How important are lower tunnels in the cottle septoplasty? (author's transl)].

The Cottle method is the best for correction of anterior nasal septal deformities. Establishment of the lower tunnel however seems unadvisable because of the common damage to the nasopalatine nerve passing through the incisive foramen with occasional permanent sequelae. The procedure also is time-consuming. As a rule spurs or deviations can be dealt with after establishing upper tunnels without perforation of the mucoperichondrial or mucoperiosteal flaps. The method is described in details.