{"id":14469,"date":"2026-07-14T21:40:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T14:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weclinicbkk.com\/what-is-osteotomy\/"},"modified":"2026-07-14T22:13:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T15:13:46","slug":"what-is-osteotomy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weclinicbkk.com\/en\/what-is-osteotomy\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Osteotomy? Types, Uses, and Everything You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many people first hear the term osteotomy during a rhinoplasty consultation or while researching nose surgery online. If you’re wondering what osteotomy means and why it is sometimes recommended, you’re not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article explains the fundamentals of osteotomy, the different types commonly used in surgery, and the role of nasal osteotomy in rhinoplasty. You’ll also learn why it is performed, who may benefit from it, and how it helps create a more balanced, functional, and aesthetically pleasing nasal structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Osteotomy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If this is your first time hearing the term osteotomy, you may be wondering what it has to do with rhinoplasty. Osteotomy is a surgical procedure that involves making precise cuts in a bone to reshape it or reposition it into a more appropriate alignment. It is commonly performed to correct deformities, improve function, or achieve a better aesthetic outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the procedure, the surgeon creates controlled bone cuts at carefully planned locations before repositioning the bone into its desired position. The bone then heals naturally over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For larger bones, such as the jaw or facial bones, small titanium plates or screws may be used to stabilize the bone during healing. In contrast, the nasal bones are thin and have an excellent blood supply, allowing them to heal naturally after nasal osteotomy without the need for permanent metal fixation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although osteotomy is commonly associated with rhinoplasty, the procedure can also be performed on many other parts of the body including the jaw, facial bones, and spine depending on the condition being treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does Osteotomy Work?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Although osteotomy may sound like a complex surgical procedure, its basic principle is straightforward: to reposition a bone into a more appropriate alignment. The procedure generally involves the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Making precise bone cuts:<\/strong> The surgeon uses specialized surgical instruments to create carefully planned cuts in the bone that require correction.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Repositioning the bone:<\/strong> The bone is then realigned or reshaped according to the planned surgical outcome.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Allowing the bone to heal:<\/strong> Once the bone has been repositioned, it heals naturally through the body’s normal bone-healing process. Depending on the location of the osteotomy, temporary fixation with titanium plates or screws may be required to stabilize the bone during healing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    As the bone heals and remodels over time, it gradually regains its strength. Therefore, osteotomy does not permanently weaken the bone, as many people mistakenly believe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Common Types of Osteotomy and Where They Are Performed<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Several types of osteotomy are performed in Thailand, and the most appropriate technique depends on each patient’s condition and treatment goals. Below are the most common types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Nasal Osteotomy (Nasal Bone Osteotomy) in Aesthetic Surgery<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Nasal osteotomy, commonly referred to as nasal bone osteotomy or simply osteotomy in rhinoplasty, is a surgical technique used to reshape and reposition the nasal bones. During the procedure, the surgeon creates controlled cuts along both nasal bones before carefully repositioning them to achieve the desired shape and alignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This technique is commonly performed in patients with wide nasal bones, a crooked or deviated nose, nasal asymmetry, or a prominent dorsal hump (hump nose). After dorsal hump reduction, an open-roof deformity may occur because the nasal bones become separated. In these cases, nasal osteotomy is performed to bring the nasal bones back together, creating a narrower, smoother, and more balanced nasal bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Beyond narrowing the bony nasal vault, nasal osteotomy also improves overall nasal symmetry, corrects bony deviation, and creates a more refined nasal bridge particularly when viewed from the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For more information, read our article: What Is Nasal Osteotomy? Benefits, Indications, Procedure, and Cost.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Nasal<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Jaw Osteotomy (Orthognathic Surgery)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Jaw osteotomy, also known as orthognathic surgery, is performed on the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both to correct bite abnormalities, jaw protrusion, facial asymmetry, and other skeletal deformities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Compared with nasal osteotomy, orthognathic surgery is considerably more complex. It usually requires close collaboration between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and an orthodontist, with orthodontic treatment before and after surgery. As a result, the overall treatment period is significantly longer. The procedure aims to improve both dental function and facial balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Other Types of Osteotomy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    In addition to nasal osteotomy, orthognathic osteotomy, and high tibial osteotomy (HTO), osteotomy can be performed on many other bones throughout the body, depending on the underlying condition and treatment objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Examples include femoral osteotomy, which is used to correct hip dysplasia or improve lower-limb alignment, and spinal osteotomy, which is performed to correct severe spinal deformities, such as scoliosis or kyphotic deformities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What Is Nasal Osteotomy and Why Is It Performed?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Nasal osteotomy, often referred to as nasal bone osteotomy, is a surgical technique used to reshape and reposition the nasal bones. During the procedure, the surgeon creates precise, controlled cuts along both nasal bones, allowing them to be carefully repositioned. This helps narrow the bony nasal vault, improve symmetry, and create a more balanced nasal framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A study by  Jeong JY  (2024)<\/a>, published in the Archives of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery<\/em>, highlights that nasal osteotomy is an important component of rhinoplasty in Asian patients because the anatomy of the Asian nasal skeleton differs significantly from that of Western populations. In particular, Asian patients often have thicker and wider nasal bones. Selecting an osteotomy technique that is appropriate for these anatomical characteristics may help achieve more predictable, natural-looking, and structurally balanced outcomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Who May Benefit from Nasal Osteotomy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Nasal osteotomy is commonly recommended for patients with structural abnormalities of the nasal bones, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n