Preoperative Evaluation of the Rhinoplasty Patient.

Requiring both high-level technical skills and artistic sense, rhinoplasty continues to be one of the most challenging procedures in plastic surgery despite its popularity. A thorough preoperative consultation of the rhinoplasty patient forms the foundation of a successful case. During the consultation, the physician should obtain a detailed medical and nasal history, understand the patient's areas of concern, conduct a nasal analysis, and evaluate the patient's candidacy for surgery. This article reviews the key functional, esthetic, and psychosocial considerations that should be taken into account during a preoperative consultation for a rhinoplasty patient.