Relationship of the posterior septal angle to the anterior nasal spine in the Caucasian nasal septum.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the distance between the most anterior part of the anterior nasal spine and the posterior septal angle. METHODS Sinus computed tomography images from February to April 2016 were retrospectively analysed. Scans from adult Caucasians were included. Those with evidence of previous surgery, large slices or poor quality were excluded. The distance between the posterior septal angle and the most anterior part of the anterior nasal spine was measured digitally by two independent raters. RESULTS Of 122 scans, 100 met the inclusion criteria (49 males and 51 females; mean age of 52.5 years). The mean distance measured was 5.13 mm (standard deviation = 1.24 mm, range = 1.85-8.00 mm). Measurements between male and female patients were not significantly different (t=0.450, p=0.654, 95 per cent confidence interval = -0.382 to 0.606). CONCLUSION There is variability in the distance between the anterior nasal spine and the posterior septal angle. Surgeons should observe this relationship intra-operatively to avoid instability and unintended aesthetic changes