Nose Tip Rhinoplasty in Düsseldorf

The nose tip rhinoplasty is, for the most part, only one component of the standard rhinoplasty. However, there are cases, in which malformation of the nose tip exists in an otherwise normal nose.

Cartilage and soft tissue

In the former, no bony structures are modified. It is a procedure involving cartilage and soft tissues. Therefore a nasal splint in the case of a simple nose tip rhinoplasty does not have to be worn as long. However, it is recommended by many nose surgeons to avoid swelling and hematomas.

General anesthesia

The nose tip rhinoplasty can, it is true, be performed under local anesthesia in principle, with twilight sleep if necessary, but the anesthetic injections are very painful, so that here too, general anesthesia is recommended.

Open approach

For a more marked molding of a nasal tip, an open approach is usually necessary. Only in this manner can one recognize and revise the structures perfectly. Therefore, as a rule, an open approach is chosen for a nose tip rhinoplasty.

In principle, various surgical techniques for the nose tip rhinoplasty exist, all of which will not be elucidated in detail. However, here are a few points:

Nasal tip lifting

It can be achieved through shortening the inferior anterior portion of the nasal septum, narrowing the alar cartilage (palpable on the nose tip and often visible as a double bead), and by means of fixed inner sutures to secure the alar cartilage.

Narrowing of the nose tip

To attain  a narroewing through the nose tip rhinoplasty, the alar cartilage can be molded using sutures. Sometimes the cartilage must be divided and newly sutured. Occasionally, cartilage transplantations are necessary to form the tip when a globe-like deformity is involved.

Reduction of the nose tip

This can be accomplished through shortening the anterior superior portion of the nasal septum and the alar cartilage. If an extensive reduction must be achieved with the nose tip rhinoplasty, the nares can appear too large. This can be corrected through shortening the nasal alar wings (Wedge Excision) in the area of the nasofacial sulcus.

Stabilization of the columella

In the case of soft cartilage support can be attained with a small cartilage transplant (so called columella strut) which is obtained from the nasal septum.

After the nose tip rhinoplasty it is usually advisable to wear a nasal splint for a few days, even though no bones were broken.

This should prevent the development of a hematoma or persistent swelling between the skin and the cartilaginous structures.

The stitches in the columella are removed after about 10 days.

Overall, the healing phase after a nose tip rhinoplasty is considerably shorter than after a complete rhinoplasty.

With a nose tip that was originally quite wide, one must be somewhat patient after the nose tip rhinoplasty. Even if the inner support has now been corrected, the outer skin still has to contract. This can take months.

In the case of the nose tip rhinoplasty, the probability of the occurrence of complications is less overall than with a standard rhinoplasty.

However, in principle, almost all the complications can occur that are described in the rhinoplasty article.