THE NASOFRONTAL osteotome (Fig 1) consists basically of a head, a cutting edge, and a handle. By striking the head of the osteotome, that force is transmitted to the cutting edge of the osteotome, permitting the operator to produce controlled incisions on the bony nasal pyramid.
The stabilizer is a block of metal, shaped to fit the thumb and forefinger and is attached to the shaft of an osteotome, preventing the osteotome from twisting or turning in the operator's hand. Figure 2 shows a broad thin guarded osteotome with the stabilizer in position.
During rhinoplasty, after removal of the bony hump and a lateral osteotomy has been performed, problems may arise when attempting to mobilize the lateral walls of the nose in an effort to obliterate the gap between the nasal bones. Some of the problems are the following:
Inability to infracture the nasal bones, due to
An inadequate