Authors of section

Authors

S Fusetti, Carl-Peter Cornelius, Nils Gellrich, Søren Hillerup, Kenji Kusumoto, Warren Schubert

Executive Editors

Daniel Buchbinder, Edward Ellis III, Kazuo Shimozato

General Editors

Daniel Buchbinder

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Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

1. Introduction

Endonasal approaches to the nasal skeleton can be used for primary treatment of traumatic injuries and for secondary procedures such as septorhinoplasty to correct posttraumatic deformities.

2. Vasoconstriction and preparation

The nasal cavity should be prepared with nasal packings with vasoconstrictor. Local infiltration of anesthesia with vasoconstrictors is performed intranasally between the skin and the osteocartilaginous structures.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

3. Cartilage delivery technique for lower lateral cartilage exposure

The intercartilaginous and the transfixion incisions are often used in combination to approach the cartilages, the septum, and the nasal bones.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

The intercartilaginous incision
The intercartilaginous incision divides the junction of the upper and lower lateral cartilages. The ala is retracted using a double skin hook. An incision is made along the inferior border of the upper lateral cartilage. The incision is then curved towards the septum where it meets the transfixion incision.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

The transfixion incision
The transfixion incision is a through and through incision made at the caudal end of the septal cartilage. A subperichondrial dissection can be carried out on one or both sides of the septum.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

Cartilage exposure
Pointed scissors can be used for subperichondrial dissection through the intercartilaginous and transfixion incisions.
This illustration shows the dissection through the intercartilaginous incision.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

4. Exposure of the nasal dorsum and root

Access to the nasal dorsum and the root of the nose is obtained through the intercartilaginous incision.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

Subperiosteal dissection of the nasal bones to the level needed for the surgical procedure can be performed using a periosteal elevator.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

5. Exposure of the septum

Through the transfixion incision, using a Freer elevator in a sweeping motion, the mucoperichondrium is dissected off the entire septal cartilage and septal bone.

This is typically performed on one side only in order to preserve blood supply to the septum.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

6. Closure

A quilting stitch using absorbable suture material is passed back and forth through the septum to stabilize the mucosal flap and prevent septal hematoma formation.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)

A few interrupted absorbable sutures are used to reapproximate the mucosal incisions.

Endonasal approaches (transfixion incision and intercartilaginous incisions)
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