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Steroid for Pollybeak?
asked 1 year ago by CSmitty in TN
Latest answer by Sam Naficy, MD
Question viewed 516 times
Tags: male, cartilage
Hello, I had a revision rhinoplasty about two years ago, and it was partially to fix a overbearing pollybeak. The surgeon did not perform this service during surgery, though, and since, the pollybeak has become severe (3+ centimeters high). While I believe that part of the pollybeak is indeed cartilage from an severely pinched primary rhinoplasty, I also believe that scar tissue may have also played a role, and if so, could a steroid shot help? Would there be any negatives in trying this?
18 answers to Steroid for Pollybeak?
+2
Steroid injection After Rhinoplasty
Hi CSmitty-
Steroid injections to the supra-tip area can help decrease soft tissue inflammation during the healing process up to several months after the surgery. Unless you have very thick skin which can be associated with longer than usual post-operative tip swelling, steroid injections may not be of benefit. Your rhinoplasty surgeon should be able to make this determination.
Sincerely,
Tom Kaniff
+1
Steroid for pollbeak
This is a safe option and effective - if the pollybeak is soft tissue and scar related and there is good tip support. Otherwise a revision rhinoplasty with structural grafting would be needed
+1
Polybeak
Without examining you fist hand I can only give you general thoughts on the polybeak problem. First this is often a difficult problem caused by a number of factors and often undertreated. A polybeak deformity can arise from simple excess scar tissue in the supratip area that can often be helped with steroid (kenalog shots). After injections of steroids it is important to do mild pressure taping of the area for up to three weeks. However this only works well in the immediate post-operative...
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+1
Steroids Not Helpful for Polybeak After Ywo Years
It is not likely that steroids will be helpful for a polybeak deformity after two years. While very useful in the immediate post-operative period to control swelling and scar, you probably have residual tissue that needs to be rearranged or trimmed. An experienced plastic surgeon should be able to evaluate your condition and make specific recommendations for you.
Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon
Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1
Steriods for pollybeak
It is unlikely that after several years steroid injections will help a pollybeak. Steriods are useful in the immediate post-operative period to reduce swelling and perhaps scar tissue formation, but likely don't have any lasting effect with the progression of time.
Edward Buckingham, MD
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Rhinoplasty Revison
Low-dose steroid injections after rhinoplasty can be helpful to reduce postoperative edema and/or early scar tissue formation. They are most effective within the first 12 months after surgery and/or trauma. At this point, steroid injection success would be low, but certainly could be done as an intial step before considering further surgery. It should be noted that steroid injections should be used with caution, because they can produce tissue atrophy if used at larger...
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Michael Vincent, MD
Rockville Plastic Surgeon
Rockville Plastic Surgeon
+1
Steroid Injections for Pollybeak
Physical examination by a rhinoplasty surgeon can determine if steroid injections may be helpful. A pollybeak is caused by an under-projected tip, excess cartilage, and/or scarring above the tip. The fullness is caused by scarring may be improved with steroid injections. Most often, surgery is necessary.
+1
3+ centimeters?
Steroids do work for pollybeak in some cases. However there are other causes. Your note indicates it is 3+ centimeters high; do you mean millimeters? 1cm=10mm. Post some photos and I will share my opinion. Good luck.
Phillip Langsdon, MD
Germantown Facial Plastic Surgeon
Germantown Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Steroids for a pollybeak
A polly beak is a high spot on the bridge just above the tip which will make the tip under project. There are many causes of which scar is one of them, though after the nose is fully healed steroids can cause problems with little potential to help the situation. The problem is structural as the tip needs more support, the cartilage portion of the dorsum was left too high, etc. My vote is for a safer revision and a predictable result.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd
Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Steroid injection for pollybeak
I agree with the others, such that you have nothing to lose by trying. Two years after a revision surgery the nasal structure is probably fairly established, but your only other alternative is a second revision surgery to remove what would then be clearly established as dorsal cartilaginous septum. You would know within a month, so you are hardly delaying further treatment if you just give it a try.
+1
Low Risk to Try Steroid Injections. Give It a Shot!
Hi, TN friend of RealSelf!
As long as your surgeon has long experience with these injections, I would give it a try. May take more than one injection. Need to do at least a month apart because it may take that long for the medicine to work.
Certainly, however, get a second opinion from a rhinoplasty " superspecialist" before commencing.
Keeping fingers crossed for you.
Robert Kotler, MD, FACS
+1
It's unlikely a steroid injection will change the appearance of your nose 2 years after Revision Rhinoplasty Surgery.
I read your concern. If your bridge is too high such that you have a "polly beak", Revision Rhinoplasty may be necessary to improve the appearance of your nose. Posting a profile photo would help us advise you.
Steroid injections are useful in reducing post-op swelling usually within the first year after your rhinoplasty Surgery.
Regards from NJ.
see video
+1
Pollybeak
From your description it sounds like the problem is excess cartilage from the septum along the lower bridge of your nose. If this is the case, steroid injections will not work. Removal of dorsal septum would be indicated.
Make sure you get evaluated by an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.
Michel Siegel, MD
+1
Steroids for a Polly Beak
Hi,
It sounds like you need a to have some more cartilage removed from the lower portion of your nose. Steroid injection can thin out your skin and occasionally cause discoloration. I don't think steroids would help at this point.
Best,
Dr.S.
+1
Treatment options for persistent pollybeak
Having an injection of either a steroid or 5-FU to combat excessive scar tissue is a possibility, although it may not help very much if there's a large residual cartilage component.
Examining your nose in person would allow for a better assessment of your chances of improvement with an injection. Residual cartilage would have to be surgically removed to improve that aspect.
+1
Steroid Injection for Pollybeak Deformity
It absolutely depends on the cause for your pollybeak as to whether steroid injection might help. If there is residual cartilage that is too high in the supratip, then no, it won't. However, if it is soft tissue fibrosis, then it is worth a try, even two years out (but be prepared for the possibility of not much change at this late date).
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Steroid injection to help a pollybeak deformity
There are two types of pollybeak deformity- soft tissue and hard tissue. Soft tissue pollybeak is related to scaring in the supratip region following rhinoplasty. This can be improved by steroid injection in both the short term as well as in the long run. You can see improvement even years after the rhinoplasty. Hard tissue pollybeak is related to excessive cartilage in the supratip region. This usually occurs when a hump is taken down but the cartilage in the supratip...
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+1
Steroids help pollybeak
Steroids can help a pollybeak deformity, but by your description, and by the fact that you are 2 years out from the procedure, I doubt a steroid injection would do much for you. I have seen steroid injections do a wonderful job of improving a pollybeak deformity up to about 6 months after the procedure, but at 2 years, I think what you see is something that will require another revision rhinoplasty.
Andrew C. Campbell, M.D.
Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Andrew Campbell, MD
Milwaukee Facial Plastic Surgeon
Milwaukee Facial Plastic Surgeon
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