Rhinoplasty: A Practical Guide to Functional and Aesthetic Surgery of the Nose

This third edition of Nolst Trenité's Rhinoplasty is in many ways a new work. In addition to the DVD, which complements the text well, there are new chapters on reconstructive septoplasty, open rhinoplasty, batten grafts, and nasal reconstruction. The DVD provides hours of live surgical video demonstrating specific techniques discussed in the text; integration makes it a “world premier” of this approach. The broad scope, which integrates aesthetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty, should appeal to students of rhinoplasty at all stages.

The content divides naturally into 2 parts. The first 2 sections provide a clear and reasonably comprehensive introduction to rhinoplasty surgery. The writing is clear and succinct. The diagrams, dissections, and surgical photography are superb. Basic topics are covered to include anatomy, preoperative and postoperative care, and anesthesia, in addition to the basic surgical techniques. The third section presents more advanced subjects ranging from management of the cleft nose to vestibular stenosis. Many of these chapters are written by giants in the field, such as T. R. Bull, I. S. Mackay, R. Meyer, C. Walter, and others.

Each edition of Rhinoplasty has enlarged and improved on the previous one. Some of the special contributions are less consistent in style and content than the main text but are nevertheless enjoyable to read. While this book is meant to be a practical guide and not an exhaustive treatise, additional discussion of cranial bone grafting and tip suturing methods might be considered for future editions.

A large number of excellent rhinoplasty books are available. Most present one surgeon's approach and are written from the North American perspective. Nolst Trenité's Rhinoplasty would make an excellent stand-alone book in any surgeon's library. In addition, it adds a European perspective not available elsewhere. The discussions of nasal vestibular stenosis, septal reconstruction, and septorhinoplasty in children are especially strong. Other procedures, such as rotation of the lateral crura for alar collapse, are not commonly discussed elsewhere.

The author and his contributors are to be congratulated on producing an excellent rhinoplasty text that will be widely read and referenced by surgeons worldwide. The book, with its innovative DVD, will be a welcome addition to any departmental library for resident training and education.