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Bulbous Tip and Spreader Graft

asked 1 year ago by Cindarell in Dallas
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 398 times
Tags: nose tip, graft, options, spreader, wide

If you narrow a bulbous tip and the nostrils, you may encounter nasal obstruction (afterwards), but that could fixed by a spreader graft. I read a spreader graft widens the middle vault. However placement of this graft pushes the side of the nose outward as well. I'm concerned the spreader graft makes my tip wider, while I want my tip narrower actually. Could there be a solution?

15 answers to Bulbous Tip and Spreader Graft

Bulbous Tip and Spreader Graft

Narrowing a bulbous tip can cause nasal obstruction but this should be avoided. A spreader graft is placed in the middle 1/3rd of the nose, will improve airflow above the tip, and will not widen the tip. A large spreader graft can widen the nasal wall above the tip, but this too can usually be avoided. During consultation your surgeon will explain all of this and establish reasonable expeectations.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Role of spreader grafts and their effect on nasal tip shape.

Hello Cindarell. Standard spreader grafts are placed between the dorsal edge of the septum and each of the right and left upper lateral cartilages. They function to improve the airway by opening the internal nasal valve formed by the junction of each upper lateral cartilage and the septum. They also shape and stablize the roof of the middle vault. Depending on the width of the spreader graft they can significantly increase the width across the dorsum of... more

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS
Denver Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.cofps.com

Bulbous tip and spreader graft

The tip techniques used to reduce the bulbous tip involve removal of tip cartilage and sewing the tip cartilage together to reduce the bulbosity of the nasal tip. With regards to the midthird of the nose, spreader grafts are used to widen the midthird nasal vault. The spreader graft only widens the nasal tip minimally. In that instance, a spreader graft can be placed more superiorly so as not to widen the tip very much if at all.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Spreader graft

If spreader grafts are necessary they are mean't prevent excess narrowing and collapse of the middle third of the nose and protect the airway. The plan for their use should be integrated into the plan for the tip and be complementary to it so everything flows. It's good to try and find out as much as you can about techniques used but important to remember that online searches don't give you the context of surgical training and experience. I find it best to review the desired... more

Michael L. Schwartz, MD
West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.palmbeachface.com

Cartilage Grafts in Rhinoplasty (Nose job): Spreader grafts and Tip grafts

Cartilage grafts can be utilized to improve both the function and the appearance of the nose. They can be harvested from the septum, ear and rib. There are also absorbable materials which can take their place, especially in grafts used for structure and support, such as a spreader graft. Spreader grafts help to increase the angle of the internal valve, as well it can help straighten the nose. Extended spreader grafts travel to the caudal septum and can lengthen the nose. Standard spreader... more

Andrew P. Trussler, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Bulbous Tip

If the spreader graft is placed correctly, the tip will not be made wider. It does, however, slightly widen the middle 1/3 of the nose. This widening is only to the extent that it fixes the depressed/collapsed area.

Elliot M. Heller, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Spreader grafts make the tip wider

Yes, you are correct that spreader grafts widen the nasal tip and IMHO, they are way over used. Just because the nasal tip is narrowed, this does not mean the internal nasal valve is weakened to the point of creating decreased breathing. In fact, in my over 20 years of performing Rhinoplasty, I have seen far more problems in nasal airway reduction created by improperly closed intracartilagenous (IC) incisions after a Rhinoplasty (performed elsewhere) resulting in... more

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bulbous tip and spreader grafts.

Properly done the tip can be narrowed and the spreader grafts done (if needed) and your nose will look natural., The key is not HOW it is done, but WHO is doing it!

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Improving bulbous tip without spreader grafts

Spreader grafts don't address (or affect) the tip itself. Spreader grafts improve the narrowness of the middle third of the nose. Tip bulbosity can be address using other maneuvers, however, depending on the precise cause. Techniques can be used that help to ensure normal breathing ability after surgery as well.

Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Spreader grafts typically do not widen the tip of the nose

Spreader grafts are used to: Increase a narrowed portion of the middle portion of the nose to improve breathing and appearance. Straighten a crooked nose. Spreader grafts will not: Widen the tip as they are not placed in the tip of the nose. With one exception- if extended spreader grafts are placed to lengthen an overly shortened nose the tip can appear more bulbous. This will be more visible over the first few months due to swelling and will subside... more

Ran Y. Rubinstein, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bulbous tip and spreaders

If the only issue you have is the bulbous tip and the rest of the nose upper 1/3 and middle 1/3 are OK then you may not need spreader grafts - there is a way to narrow a bulbous tip without causing nasal obstruction (and in fact often times making breaking better)

Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Will speader grafts widen the nasal tip?

Spreader grafts function to open the nasal airway called the internal nasal valve, they can also help stabilize &/or help contour the nasal (mid-vault) dorsum/bridge and in doing so may widen the bridge ever so slightly but should not affect the nasal tip shape. Enjoy...RAS

Ryan Stanton, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Spreader grafts should not affect the nasal tip

Whether you have a bulbous tip or not, a spreader graft will not affect the tip. The spreader graft goes up along the septum and the upper cartilage to hold the shape of the airway in an area called the internal nasal valve. You are right in that the spreader graft can widen the bridge of the nose, though most often it will improve the bridge contour and prevent a pinch in the middle of the bridge as the upper cartilages move inward with nasal fracture. Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Bulbous Tip and Spreader Graft

The spreader graft should not widen you tip. It will however, widen the middle vault as you mentioned correctly. An alternative to spreader graft is suture elevation and fixation of the upper lateral cartilages which also will improve internal valve function and nasal airways.

Mohsen Tavoussi, MD, DO
Huntington Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon

Bulbous tip

Hi, Narrowing a bulbous tip should NOT cause nasal obstruction if done correctly. Spreader grafts are used to widen the mid-nasal vault and for opening the internal nasal valve but they are should not be routinely put in when narrowing a bulbous tip. Best, Dr.S.