I have heard of "tip rhinoplasty" but don't know what it is. How is this different from other rhinoplasties?
Tip rhinoplasty is desired by some patients. These patients generally require work only on the tip. They may have a nice width to the upper two thirds of the nose with a nice profile already. Usually patients will larger, bulbous or boxy nasal tips will benefit from tip work for more refinement. This is carried out well with an open rhinoplasty for many but not all. On occasion, a cartilage tip graft may be desireable.
Rhinoplasty is one of the most complicated and intricate operations. The most difficult aspect of rhinoplasty is the the tip of the nose.
The tip of the nose is the most variable aspects of the nose. Cartilages that makes up the tip varies in each patient in regards to the length, strength and shape, different curvatures, unique asymmetries, and so forth. The nasal bones of each patient may be of different lengths and thickness, and of different orientation. The skin thickness also differs significantly between patients. All these variables have to be paid attention to if one wants to get a natural perfect nose.
Changing one aspect of the nasal anatomy can have a complex and cascading effect on other aspects of the nose. Rhinoplasty surgery is not only the science but also an art. Like a solving a puzzle understanding the complex interactions of the pieces, the surgeon must be able to understand the complex interactions of each patient's nasal anatomy. Therefore, knowledge, experience and technical ability are as important traits for a rhinoplasty surgeon as his artistic ability.
Tip rhinoplasty is a procedure that's main purpose is to correct problems involving the nasal tip. Usually this involves reducing the size and bulbosity of the nasal tip cartilages. However, in some individuals, tip rhinoplasty can also involve adding cartilage to the tip to create additional projection or shape. As you might expect this procedure takes less time and is less expensive than a traditional rhinoplasty.
Generally, a rhinoplasty operation may address several distinct anatomic parts of the nose, including the tip, the bridge, the radix (starting point of the bridge at the top of the bridge), and so on...
Tip rhinoplasty refers to a cosmetic nose operation that focuses on alteration of the tip of the nose. The tip of the nose is comprised of skin, subcutaneous tissues, and the paired lower lateral cartilages resembling an arched "M".
The tip of the nose has several aesthetic characteristics that may be altered in a rhinoplasty surgery.
Manipulation of the arched lower lateral cartilages allows your surgeon to increase or decrease the projection of the tip (the distance the tip of the nose projects from the face), the rotation of the tip, the angle between the tip of the nose and the upper lip, the width of the tip, the vertical height of the widest portion of the tip, among other more detailed considerations.
These aspects of the tip may be altered surgically using many different approaches. The external or "open" approach involves an incision on the skin of the collumella (skin between the nostrils)and a few hidden incisions inside of the nostrils, while the internal approach involves only hidden incisions inside of the nostrils.
There is no one way that is better. The best method is the one which your surgeon feels will allow him/her to peform all of the necessary steps for the desired result.
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