RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Traditional open rhinoplasty produces a scar on the columella. In previous survey using questi-onnaires, 77 percent of subjects refused to accept a small scar in the columella region, even when they were told that the scar would disappear in time. To avoid such a scar, rhinoplasty was performed without transcolumellar incision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Skin incision was extended from a traditional marginal incision to the footplate of the medial crus. Rhinoplasty was done in 99 patients. RESULTS: The columella artery was not damaged. Necrosis, notching, and scar did not occur on the columella. Because the skin continuity was preserved, it was easier to watch and correct any or all abnormalities of the external nasal contour during operation than traditional open rhinoplasty. It was possible to accurately operate both the tip and the dorsum under direct vision like traditional open rhinoplasty. CONCLUSION: Approach via extended marginal incision is a very useful method in operating both the nasal tip and the nasal dorsum.