Who Nose What There Is To Nose About The Nose – The Rhinoplasty Symposium Wrap Up

You know I just love the industry that is all about quality plastic and cosmetic surgery. Last weekend The Australasian Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAFPS) combined with the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) to put on a spectacular and informative conference and Rhinoplasty Masters’ Symposium in Sydney. The focus this year was on the nose, and the latest techniques and issues surrounding the specialty today.

Some of the best Plastic Surgeons & ENT’s (ear nose & throat) gathered from all over Australia & NZ to hear world-class plastic surgeons and ENT surgeons speak about some fascinating topics. One of my personal favourites was Dr Dean Toriumi from Chicago USA presenting on Ethnic Rhinoplasty and how to preserve one’s ethnicity while creating a pleasing aesthetic result. He said, “it’s all about balancing the nose with the surrounding facial features.” Whilst there are differing opinions on what makes a perfect nose, it is agreed that a natural, un-operated look is obviously desirable. Dr Toriumi made it clear to his audience that “I wouldn’t do anything to a patient that I wouldn’t do to myself, my wife or my children.” However, it must be remembered that the nose has a function and an extremely important one at that! As Dr Toriumi says, “I will not compromise function for aesthetics”.

Other topics included unique patient stories and issues requiring innovative techniques that need to be developed and identified for each particular case. There was a fascinating section on how severe cocaine use can result in the loss of internasal lining (read collapsed nose) and the techniques employed to rectify such issues among others. Cocaine usage destroys the internal mucosa and can require extensive reconstruction just to restore normal function of the nose. We thought this was such an interesting topic that we will be doing a whole article on the subject – stay tuned for this one!

We were enthralled with the presentations and different approaches to nose surgery, different grafting techniques, use of cartilage and one of my favourite current technologies of the moment – 3D computer imaging and its place in plastic surgery.

This weekend saw a collaboration of some of the most brilliant minds in the industry today and once again, it was reaffirmed for me that Australia has some of the best plastic surgeons in the world. It made me proud to be a part of such an innovative and clever industry that is evolving and growing all the time in order to provide patients with the best safety, techniques and technologies possible.

I’d like to make a special mention of Dr George Marcells, President of the AAFPS and Dr Peter Callan, ASPS Co-Convenor for their hard to work create such a successful event that was obviously enjoyed and worthwhile for everyone who attended.