I have a small dorsal hump that I would like to get fixed on my nose, and was considering closed rhinoplasty. The plastic surgeon informed me that he could just go in and file it down without breaking or fracturing any bones. Does this sound like a good idea? The absolute only thing I want done is the hump shaved down, and it is very small. Will any other part of my nose need fixing if the surgeon simply files the hump down?
Shaving down the 'hump' only may create a flat appearing nose if you have a significant hump. This may create an 'open roof' deformity. Many patients benefit from 'breaking' of the bones following hump reduction to create improved nasal harmony.
The nasal hump is composed of bone and cartilage. Most small humps can be reduced with rasping and removal of cartilage using an endonasal (closed) approach. Most good rhinoplasty surgeons will assess the profile and determine if - after removing the hump - osteotomies are require to narrow any flatness on the dorsum. It is important to remember - there is no "simple" rhinoplasty - even a simple hump reduction may require osteotomies and can develop scar tissue during the healing process. I recommend selecting a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience doing rhinoplasties.
If the bump is small, as you say, the answer is yes, and you don't have to do anything else to the nose. If that is all that bothers you, you don't have to do the "whole nose"!
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