Sonic rhinoplasty: innovative applications

Abstract

Sonic rhinoplasty involves the use of the Sonopet ultrasonic bone aspirator (Stryker, Inc., Kalamazoo, MI, USA) to precisely sculpt the nasal bones without damage to the surrounding nasal cartilage, soft tissue, and mucosa. By employing ultrasonic waves to emulsify and remove bone under concurrent irrigation and suction, sonic rhinoplasty improves upon the conventional osteotome, drill, rasp, and powered rasp techniques that may be associated with decreased visualization, heat generation, mechanical chatter, and a lack of surgical precision with attendant soft tissue injury. We have applied this technology to bony dorsal hump and nasal spine removal, deepening of the glabellar angle and reshaping of irregular nasal contours, septoplasty, turbinate reduction, and the correction of bony asymmetries.