Isolated Congenital Absence of Right Lower Lateral Cartilage and Reconstruction with Septal Cartilage : A Case Report and Review of Literature

Congenital anomalies of the nose are rare but may be associated with syndromes affecting craniofacial structures. Herein, we report a case of a congenital absence of lower lateral cartilage seen during an open rhinoplasty in a 23-yr-old lady with no underlying health conditions. Medical and surgical history were unremarkable and there were no evidences conducted of any previous traumatic facial injuries. During physical examination, a significant nostril asymmetry was noted to be present. In addition, cotton test showed no evidence of obstruction. The absence of lower lateral cartilage on the right side was noted during the degloving stage of the open rhinoplasty. Absence of lower lateral cartilage poses a technical challenge in surgery and in order to reconstruct this structure, cartilage can be harvested from concha, lower lateral cartilage, septum and cartilaginous dorsal hump during an open approach rhinoplasty.