Advantages. This operation has several advantages:—
(a) It is not difficult of execution, and can be carried out with a scalpel and a raspatory.
(b) It gives a free access to the floor of the nose and the anterior part of the nasal fossæ. The vestibule, the natural orifice of the nose, only measures 20 millimetres by 7 to 8 millimetres. Rouge’s operation exposes an orifice measuring 3½ centimetres by 2 centimetres. The posterior margin of the septum, instead of being 8 centimetres distant from the outside, is now brought within a reach of 5 centimetres. The floor of the nose lies on a lower level than that of the vestibular entrance, and is wider some distance in than it is at the orifice. By means of this operation the whole floor comes into clear view, and the exit from the nasal chambers becomes the widest part of the nose.
(c) The bones of the face are not interfered with, and the amount of traumatism is slight.
(d) Bleeding, which is so apt to be troublesome in operations through the skin of the face, is less and is easily controlled.
(e) The patient can be assured that there will not only be no disfigurement, but not even the slightest scar on the face.
(f) The operation can be repeated without any disfiguring scars. In operations upon the nose through the face the cicatrix becomes more marked with each intervention.