Caudal Nasal Deviation

Caudal nasal deviation, manifested by a "crooked tip," asymmetric nostrils, and a deviated columella, is one of the most challenging deformities encountered in rhinoplasty. This entity is often ignored by rhinoplasty surgeons, on the basis of the assumption that correction of other segments of the deviated nose will improve the caudal nose. Failure to correct this imperfection (or, occasionally, deformity) invariably produces suboptimal results. The nasal structures involved in caudal nasal deviation, namely, the septum, the lower lateral cartilages, and the anterior nasal spine, must be evaluated for identification of the anatomical blocks that have a causative role in caudal nasal deviation. The specific structures with abnormalities related to this deformity are discussed, as are techniques for the correction of the deformities. These techniques significantly augment the surgeon's repertoire of methods for addressing the subtleties of caudal nasal deviation correction and achieving predictable results.