Classification of rhinoplasties performed in an otorhinolaryngology referral center in Brazil.

[INTRODUCTION] Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery involves the use of surgical procedures to achieve esthetic and functional improvement. It can be used for traumatic, congenital, or developmental injuries. Medicine, with an emphasis on facial plastic surgery, has made progress in several areas, including rhinoplasty, providing good long-term results and higher patient satisfaction.

[OBJECTIVE] To evaluate cases of rhinoplasty and its subtypes in a referral center, and to understand the relevance of teaching rhinoplasty techniques in a service of otolaryngology residency.

[METHODS] A retrospective study that assessed 325 rhinoplasties performed by third-year medical residents under the supervision of chief residents in charge of the Service of Facial Plastic Surgery in this hospital was conducted from January of 2003 to August of 2012. The Service Protocol included the following subtypes: functional, esthetic, post-traumatic, revision, and reconstructive rhinoseptoplasty.

[RESULTS] Of the rhinoplasties performed 184 (56.21%) were functional, 59 (18.15%) were post-traumatic, 27 were (8.30%) esthetic, 15 were (4.61%) reconstructive, and 40 (12.30%) were revision procedures.

[CONCLUSION] Functional rhinoseptoplasties were the most prevalent type, which highlights the relevance of teaching surgical techniques, not only for septoplasty, but also the inclusion of rhinoplasty techniques in teaching centers.