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Radix Graft for Rhinoplasty

Does a radix graft make your eyes look closer together in the front? I ask because I'm considering a secondary Rhinoplasty to lengthen my nose and I may need a radix graft. I have close-set eyes and I don't want to further botch my frontal appearance because I'm getting a secondary Rhinoplasty to IMPROVE my frontal appearance. Thanks!

Asked 35 months ago by curious88 in Washington, DC
Sort 15 expert answers by:
+1

Getting the Best Result in Revision Rhinoplasty depends on Good Evaluation

Hi, Rhinoplasty is an art as much as a science. It is crucial to make sure your surgeons spends adequate time analyzing your face and nose. This should be done not just in the frontal view of your nose but also the profile, oblique and base views should be carefully examined. The complex anatomy of the nose in relation to the facial features (eyes, cheeks, width of the face, upper lip and chin) needs to be systematicaly evaluated. Revision Rhinoplasty requires a surgeon who... more
Ali Sajjadian, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon
+3

Depends on several factors

It is quite difficult to answer the question without seeing a photo. Lengthening the nose can be done several ways depending on what the problem is. If someone needs a radix graft, this is determined by the profile view as well as width of the face, eye width, etc. See a revision rhinoplasty specialist to give you the answer to the multifaceted issues involved.
Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3

Your bridge won't look quite as washed out

You asked a very good question about nasal aesthetics and the impact of grafting on different views. It is true that a washed out nasal bridge can give the sense that your eyes are farther apart. Conversely, adding height to the bridge can theoretically give the sense that eyes are drawn closer together. But (and this a big but here), you must think about where you are coming from. If your bridge was taken down too low during a previous surgery and you are considering adding back some... more
Jason Litner, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Radix grafts and apparent eye position

A radix graft, if high enough, can give the appearance of the eyes being close together. However, in my experience, the shadow effect that results in this optical illusion is created with quite a high graft--only in unusual situations does this occur. In some cases, such as on 3/4 view, the effect may be opposite. So, this will vary with your facial form and should be brought up as a concern with your revision rhinoplasty surgeon. In general, we use a radix graft when the overall effect... more
Sam Most, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Radix grafts

You are correct in assuming by adding prominence to the space between your eyes (the Radix), the distance between your eye may appear smaller. However, which is worse, the deficiency from a deepr radix or the close set eyes -- only you can decide.
Robert M. Freund, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

The effect of a radix graft is variable depending on size

A radix graft can make your eyes look closer.  The effect of a radix graft is dependent on the size, shap, and placement of the graft.  It can change the shape of your nose by affecting the take-off of your nose, and can make your nose appear narrower.  It all depends on the shape of the graft.  Talk it over closely with your surgeon.
Raghu Athre, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radix Grafting and Appearance of Your Eyes

Placement of a radix graft can certainly impact the appearance of your eyes by making them look closer together. Obviously there are gradations that need to be considered - a small, low profile radix graft might not have such an impact on the appearance of your eyes. You have to simply prioritize what bothers you more and make a decision based on that assessment. Good luck.
John M. Hilinski, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radix Grafts and Eye Position

Radix grafts can indeed make the eyes look closer together.  Conversely, when the bridge is lower, the eyes tend to look further apart.  This one of the reasons that patients with extremely low bridges often feel that their eyes are too far apart.  The key in rhinoplasty is matching the nose to the face and person's facial features.
Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Avoiding "funny look" with Rhinoplasty

Improperly fashioned radix graft can give one an appearance of eyes being too close together.  The graft has to be positioned in such a way as not to make the upper part of the nasal bridge too wide, it creates a "funny look" in that area.  Revision rhinoplasty is a rather complex operation requiring lots of experience and expertise.  There are few different  ways to lengthen the nose, and radix grafting is rarely successful as a stand alone... more
Boris M. Ackerman, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radix grafts yield excellent results with proper patient selection

A radix graft is a piece of tissue, usually septal cartilage, placed at the root (top) of the nose.  It leads to improved shadowing of the nose and if selected properly greatly enhances the frontal and side profile. Radix grafts must be fashioned carefully to achieve maximum results, but are an important tool for the rhinoplasty surgeon.
Robert Mounsey, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

The effects of a radix graft in rhinoplasty

Today, there are many effective techniques in rhinoplasty surgery. In patients who have a depressed area at the root of their nose, a radix graft may be helpful. Placing a graft in this area can create a more harmonious nose with better balance to the other elements of the face. It will not however make your eyes appear closer. This is an advanced rhinoplasty procedure. Be sure that you're only working with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has a great deal of experience in... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radix grafts are more for the profile than the front

Radix grafts will help improve a hump related to a deep radix.  The effect on the front view is typically subtle unless a larger radix graft is used (which is not a good idea for other reasons).
Sam Naficy, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Raising the radix can make the eyes look closer together

If you are concerned that your eyes look to close together, you may want to think twice about the radix elevation.  On the other hand, a radix graft can do a lot of good in creating a better nasal profile.  It would be a matter of priority.
David W. Kim, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radix Grafts and Rhinoplasty

A radix graft is a small graft placed at the top of the bridge and can cause the following changes to the appearance of the nose: Lengthens the nose -- a radix grafts repositions the "starting" point of the nose. The overall effect from the side is that it can make the nose appear longer. Narrows the dorsum -- a radix graft also adds height. On frontal view this added height can give the illusion of narrowness. Usually this is not a problems, but it can make the eyes appear... more
C. Spencer Cochran, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Radix graft can give stronger and longer dorsal height

A radix graft can be used for a primary or a secondary rhinoplasty. It is only used to build up the very top-most portion of the nasal bridge where it is sunken in from either too much bone removed on a prior surgery or a congenital depression there. It is an excellent procedure for patients who have a depression in the area, and it gives a stronger, longer dorsal height to the nose.
William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
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