Most operations in rhinoplasty require a thinning of the nose. This is, of course, essential in all cases in which removal of the nasal hump is necessary. To accomplish this properly, both the nasal processes of the maxillary bones and the nasal bones must be brought together in one section. Many methods for performing the lateral osteotomy, with subsequent infracturing of the nasal bones, have been advocated over the years. The proof that an ideal method has not been found is attested by the fact that several methods with variations in techniques are in use today. Each surgeon has periodically alternated among all the present available methods, and the technique being used today does not necessarily dictate the method he will use next month, next week, or even the next day.
The accepted methods available are divided into internal nasal osteotomy and external nasal osteotomy. Internal nasal osteotomies are usually