Background and Objectives: Caudal and/or dorsal septal deformities cause blockage of nasal passages and result in the external deformities of the nose. As these septal deformities can not be corrected by submucosal resection or septoplasty, the
surgical
correction of these nasal deformities is a difficult challenge. Functional and aesthetic results of total septal reconstruction provide the validity of total septal reconstruction. Material and Methods : This retrospective study reviewed the
patients'
records in case of "total septal cartilage reconstruction" for severely twisted scoliotic nose. Fifteen cases were detected as "total septal reconstruction" between January, 1998 and December, 1999. All cases were approached externally, and we
followed
up the patients from three months to one year by analyses with photography, rhinologic examination, and patients' survey. Results: All patients noted marked improvement of nasal obstruction. Aesthetic improvement of the nose was mostly obtained
in
fourteen cases. No infection, hematoma, graft extrusion, saddle nose deformity, or distortion occurred in this series. Conclusion : Total septal reconstruction through external rhinoplasty approach is a suitable technique to obtain satisfactory
aesthetic and functional results in severely deformed noses with caudal and/or dorsal septal deformities
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