Nose surgery or rhinoplasty is one of the most frequently performed procedures by plastic surgeons worldwide. According to statistics from the International Society of aesthetic plastic surgery, it ranks 5th among women and 4th among men. Overall, approximately 900,000 of these surgeries are performed each year. On the other hand, it is among the modifications that are continuously growing both in the world and in Colombia.
Apart from the above, plastic surgery of the nose or rhinoplasty is considered by our guild as the most challenging and difficult surgery. So much so that a large percentage of certified plastic surgeons do not perform it, and prefer not to take on these challenges. That is to say, if you do not have the passion, dedication, knowledge and experience to do it, it is best that it is not in the portfolio of many specialists.
**How to obtain good results**
Recognizing that nose surgeries are complex, if we decide to perform it, we must have a series of elements to be able to have the greatest possible control and to be able to offer a good result rate. The truth is that results can never be guaranteed, but done with dedication it can be highly satisfactory. Careful medical evaluations, images such as CT scans when required, optimal medical photographs, use of 3D simulation technologies, expert execution of the surgery and close follow-up of the patients should be performed.
Although nose surgery is a combination of art, science, sensitivity and skill primarily, different types of technological advances have appeared that support and facilitate performing it with higher quality and possibly with better results. Among these we can mention piezoelectric technology for modifications of the bony parts, computerized 3D simulation, etc.
**What’s new in technologies**
One of the complex parts of nose surgery is the modification of bony structures such as nasal bones. Having good results depends, among other things, on great precision and control in its modifications. The piezoelectric technology or also known as “the piezo”, which had been used in other areas of medicine, has been gaining space in rhinoplasty. This tool allows parts of the bone to be removed or cuts to be made in the bone with a little more precision. This is what some call ultrasonic rhinoplasty. Piezo technology can allow for greater precision, less surgical trauma, improved results and faster recovery.
On the other side, we have seen the deployment of computerized technologies that allow 3D simulation of patients’ faces. That is, we can take real shots of patients and make real three-dimensional images of their faces. With these inputs we can make simulations of the changes of the nasal anatomy in its different areas and show them in consultation. This computational capability has benefits such as being able to show people projections of their surgery but mainly in an educational way. That is to say, no plastic surgeon should commit to exact results since there are many elements that influence such results.
Among the best known brands of 3D simulation technology we have Crisalix and Vectra.
**Knowledge, passion and technologies**
Anyway, we could conclude that although there are technological tools in the field of rhinoplasty, and we must make use of them to support our work, the best technology is still passion, study, dedication, reflection, planning and execution of a significant number of these procedures. As I tell my patients this surgery requires love to be performed properly.