Titanium Nasal Reconstruction

Abstract

Titanium is an ideal substance to use for nasal reconstruction. It is inert, strong, and malleable and has many other advantages, which will be outlined subse- quently. One of the most important uses is in nasal reconstruction related to col- lapse of some or all of the anatomic components, which make up the nose.

Total nasal collapse is best defined by anatomical region. The upper third of the nose, being derived from bone, can collapse quite easily from too traumatic or complete an osteotomy. When this occurs, the bone is shattered and signifi- cantly displaced because the periosteum is disrupted from its attachments to the maxilla. This causes a subluxation of the nasal bones inwardly into the nasal vault. This in turn results not only in significant airway compromise, but gross extremely deformities of the upper bony nasal vault. These deformities are extremely difficult to reconstruct.