The nasal bridge is a complicated mix of bone and cartilage draped with skin. In fact, the lower two-thirds of the nose are made of cartilage, and the upper third of bone.
Most aesthetic surgery that involves the nose consists of reshaping the bridge, either through an open or closed rhinoplasty.
There are a number of different changes that can be made to the nose during rhinoplasty:
- changing the width of the bridge;
- changing the height of the bridge;
- changing the length of the nose;
- reducing the tip size;
- increasing the tip size;
- …and so on.
However, sometimes these procedures can lead to other complications, such as irregularities in the bridge that form over time, and revision rhinoplasty can be required. One such irregularity can also occur naturally, and is known as the dorsal hump.
What is a Dorsal Hump?
A dorsal hump is the result of an excess of bone, cartilage, or both in the nasal bridge. It can be treated in several different ways depending on how much of the hump the patient would like to see removed. Options can include removing the bone, either by filing the bone or breaking the bone, and trimming the cartilage.
Since the bridge of the nose protects the nasal passages and septum (which separates the nostrils) it is important to make sure that the function of the nose is not adversely affected by the surgery. One important question to ask at the consultation is if a spreader graft will be necessary.
The spreader graft is designed to prevent the middle third of the nose collapsing over time and causing breathing difficulties or aesthetic issues that might require a revision rhinoplasty later in life. In some cases, a hump may appear following an initial rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty may be needed later to remove the hump. Dr. Naderi specializes in revision rhinoplasty, including hump removal as well as repairing other aesthetic and functional issues that have developed over time after surgery has taken place.
Hump Removal Using Closed Rhinoplasty Techniques
If the hump is small enough, it can be addressed using a minimally invasive closed rhinoplasty. All the incisions will be made inside the nostrils, allowing the surgeon to file down the hump without needing to re-drape the skin or open the nose fully.
This also reduces post-surgery discomfort and leads to excellent, natural-looking results without the need for extensive surgery. It is especially effective in cases where the hump is a result of an excess in cartilage, which can be simply trimmed through a small incision inside the nostril.
Open Rhinoplasty Techniques
Where the patient has requested a larger reduction or where the hump is too large to tackle with small incisions inside the nostrils, an open rhinoplasty may be required. Despite the ominous sounding name, it is really only one additional incision at the base of the nose, which will leave negligible scarring in most cases.
Open rhinoplasty also allows the surgeon to remodel the tip of the nose as required. This can lead to a more aesthetically balanced result, and sometimes is required so that the tip of the nose can be supported by additional grafts.
During the initial consultation with Dr. Naderi, the extent of the surgery will be discussed and the appropriate method – closed or open – selected. At this time, the surgical team may well suggest other complementary procedures designed to ensure that the end result is a natural, balanced nose that fits the patient’s face perfectly.
It is the attention to detail rather than merely tackling the most obvious aesthetic issues that is the hallmark of a gifted cosmetic surgeon. Dr. Naderi has both technical skill and an eye for the aesthetic nature of cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery that leads to exceptional results.
To learn more about rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty and cosmetic and plastic surgery, please contact the Naderi Center at 703-481-0002 in Virginia or 301-222-2020 in Maryland for a consultation today. You may also view the impressive results that Dr. Naderi achieves in the rhinoplasty photo gallery.