New cutting edge intrument "Piezotome"

Bone cutting in rhinoplasty is an essential part for nasal bone modification. It is necessary to correct a deviated nose, to remove the hump, and to narrow/widen nasal bone. It is the most invasive surgical technique in rhinoplasty and causes edema and brusing of the nose.

Most surgeons use osteotome for cutting the bone. It literally cuts the bone with physical strength like we cut apple with knife. The common problem of cutting the bone with conventional osteotome is difficulty in fine control of the cut. It is also blindly done under the skin relying on the tactile sense of the surgeon.

New ultrasonic osteotome called Piezotome uses the ultrasonic power to cut the bone. It enables fine cutting of the bone with easy control and causes less bone loss. It is done under direct vision after wide skin elevation, which causes less edema and brusing on the contrary to the common belief that edema will increase with wide skin elevation. The use of this equipment is slowly increasing recently throughout Europe and America.

I have no conflict of interest with the Piezotome company. But I think this equipment will be beneficial both to the patient and surgeon if judiciously used. My clinic started to use this instrument for patient's benefit. Although it was a very expensive equipment to buy, I hope this equipment will enhance the accuracy of bone control and contribute to patient's comfort after surgery.