Can the bone/cartilage on the tip of your nose be cut off? (photo)

Question

So the inside of my nostril there is a cartilage/bone sticking out, it does not cause pain or breathing problems but is just so noticeable and I really hate it. I have been to ENT and they have decided it could be cut off (would be easiest and best procedure as if they try to put it back in place in May pop out again in the future) I’m just wondering is this A good and possible idea? Will I be in pain after and will I need a few days to recover? Thanks for your help.

John K. Wakelin III, MD, FACS · Answer

It appears that your septal cartilage is deviated into your nostril.  Evaluating the rest of your nose in person would be helpful to determine the best approach to your concerns.  Fortunately, there should be good options to improve this for you.   Once a definitive plan is made it will determine the answers to your other questions.

Bahman Guyuron, MD · Answer

The end of the septum which is cartilage and a small piece of bone under it can commonly protrude into the nostril and cause visible, firm lump and even block the nostril partially. This often is present in conjunction with a deviation of the bridge of the nose and the tip to the other side. A careful assessment of the whole nose and the septum with be very helpful.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  Based on
your photographs, this is likely septal cartilage and can be improved with surgery.  This decision should
be based on a detailed discussion with equal input from both you
and your surgeon.   Make sure you specifically look
at before and after pictures of real patients who have had this surgery
performed by your surgeon and evaluate their results.   The most
important aspect is to find a surgeon you are comfortable with. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

David C. Pearson, MD · Answer

The photo appears to show what we call a deviated caudal septum (the caudal end is the front edge of the septum) that is projecting into your right nostril. Fixing that generally requires a nasal septoplasty with resection (removal) of that deviated segment. Since that's also a supporting element of the nasal tip, it needs to be replaced with a cartilage graft, usually fashioned from cartilage further back along the septum. Although some ENT surgeons will do this, it's more commonly done by someone with both ENT *and* facial plastic surgery subspecialization since it borrows on techniques from rhinoplasty surgery.All the best,--DCPPearson Facial Plastic Surgery®

Alexander Donath, MD, FACS · Answer

Most likely this can be removed but I would recommend that it be done by a surgeon with extensive experience in aesthetics, as it could alter the shape and support of the tip, depending on how it is done. Hope that helps and best wishes, Dr. Donath

Can the bone/cartilage on the tip of your nose be cut off? (photo)

Answers (5)