S105 – Congenital Absence of the Left Lower Lateral Cartilage

Abstract

Objectives Review the embryology of the cartilaginous nasal skeleton. Present an anatomic varient of the nasal skeletal anatomy not previously described. Methods Case report of an adult patient evaluated for nasal airway obstruction and suspected from clinical exam to have absence of the left lower lateral cartilage. Photographs document this first report of an absent lower lateral cartilage and surgical techniques to reconstitute the nasal tip. Results Surgical outcome of open structure rhinoplasty and photographs included. Patient pleased with functional and aesthetic results of procedure. Conclusions This previously unreported clinical entity extends the spectrum of congenital abnormalities of the nose and can be addressed successfully with open structure rhinoplasty techniques.