Have you heard of 'mini' rhinoplasty where the dorsal hump is shaved down? (Photos)

Question

The only thing I don't like about my nose is the dorsal hump. Don't care that my nose droops slightly, I like that. From my understanding, it's possible to shave down the dorsal hump as an isolated procedure, but this may cause the bridge of the nose to look wider? I have a pretty narrow bridge that gives a pinched appearance. I guess I'm wondering, does anyone preform, or heard of, these "mini" procedures where they just shave down the dorsal hump? Thank you!!

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

A mini rhinoplasty ( whatever that is) will not give you a proper result. You need a full rhinoplasty lowering the bridge, raising the tip and breaking the bones. This needs to be done right. A mini approach is not going to give you a nice outcome

Selcuk Inanli, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question. As far as I can see from your photo you may suitable for the closed rhinoplasty. This way you can get rid of your dorsal hump and protect the other things you liked about your nose. It would be more convenient to decide with face-to-face consultation. Best Regards!

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Hi @addib! Based on your photos--you have a dorsal hump and a droopy tip. A mini rhinoplasty would not be ideal because when the dorsal hump is shaved down, the bridge across the left and right nasal bones will be removed. This leads you with a wide flat bridge and visible left nasal bone and a separate visible right nasal bone also known as an open roof deformity. If you shave just the dorsal hump, the nose will appear even longer on profile. A natural nose is very achievable. A rhinoplasty in my opinion is one of the most difficult procedures to perform. In my practice, I utilize piezosurgery. Piezosurgery is a more gentle technique that allows for greater precision. Less bruising and swelling is common with Piezosurgery. In a typical rhinoplasty, a hammer and chisel technique is performed leading to more inadvertent fractures. Best of Luck, Dr. Nima!

Steven M. Denenberg, MD · Answer

I understand that you said you don't mind that your nose droops, but the problem is that when you take down a bump, it makes the nose *look* longer, as if the tip had drooped even more! So if you only have the hump taken down, it's just about certain that you'll think the nose is too long, and wish more had been done during surgery.

You can figure that out with morphs, well before deciding on surgery. I'd love for you to see some excellent professionally-designed morphs of what could possibly be done with your nose, AND what your nose would look like with only the hump taken down. I think you'd see what I'm talking about. Morphs could also help you identify better just what's bothering you, and help you set a goal for the rhinoplasty that's accurate for your tastes. Profile and three-quarter views would be particularly important in morphing your nose. (Side note: in my opinion, morphs should really be done by the surgeon, or he should direct an assistant as she makes the morphs. Morphs should be made with a constant eye to what actually *can* be done in surgery, for that particular nose, and the surgeon has that information and judgment best.)

Finally, remember that rhinoplasty is an exquisitely difficult operation to get right, and you should only have surgery if you are able to make yourself very confident in your surgeon's skills. The changes that your nose needs require advanced techniques, and skill that most plastic surgeons don't possess with expertise. For most noses, it's much better to not have surgery than to have inexpertly-performed surgery. Read my essay on how to stay out of trouble while selecting a rhinoplasty surgeon. And it also discusses how to take photos that are best for online evaluations.

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

If you truly want to only address the bump during your nasal surgery, then you can certainly do just that. The bump would be taken down and the bones brought back together to form a nice nasal bridge. I would suggest seeing a rhinoplasty specialist that can perform computer imaging at the same time so you could see how it would look with the tip addressed as well. Then you can decide what you really want to do.

Celal Alioglu, MD · Answer

Hello you need make a small projection of your nose little need to up tip of the nose and make a straight your septum

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

When you change one element of the nose -all other aspects of the nose need to be addressed. Based on your limited photos - you appear to be a good candidate for Cosmetic Rhinoplasty preferably performed through a closed technique. I suggest that you seek an experienced Board Certified PS and discuss the details of the procedure

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

Would a “mini” rhinoplasty suffice? when you shave down the dorsal hump, you remove the bridge across the left and right nasal bones. You now have a wide flat bridge with a visible left nasal bone and a separate visible right nasal bone. This is called an open roof. This would not be a desirable result. Your nose is also long with a down projecting tip. If you shave off the dorsal hump the nose will appear even longer in profile. I doubt there is any plastic surgeon who would recommend anything short of a full rhinoplasty. however this does not mean you have to have a very small or very different nose. Noses can be done in a conservative manner to preserve a “natural“ look which many patients do request, and which can easily be done.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

There is no such thing as a mini rhinoplasty. You have a large dorsal hump and a droopy tip. The tip must be lifted upwards, and once the dorsal hump has been shaved down, and then an open roof, flat top nasal deformity is created. Therefore osteotomy's are mandatory to close the open roof created from the hump removal itself. You also require spreader grafts to prevent the mid vault cartilages for collapsing inwards. A closed rhinoplasty approach can accomplish your goals with all the incisions placed on the inside of the nose. Rhinoplasty is the most difficult operation to perform correctly in the entire field of cosmetic surgery, so choose your surgeon very wisely based on extensive experience. Study your prospective surgeon's before and after rhinoplasty photo Gallery, and make sure it is extensive

Jeffrey C. Hamm, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
From your photos, I note a significantly high nasal bridge and a tip droop.
Minor bridge elevation can be treated with shaving. However, as your bridge is significantly high, lowering will result in an "open roof deformity" as the nasal bones will no longer meet at midline, there will be a bony defect, and the bridge will appear flat and wide (and unnatural). This is not a good trade off. 
A rhinoplasty is required to narrow and lower the bridge. You may wish to address the tip droop as well.
Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation and discussion.
Best wishes...

Have you heard of 'mini' rhinoplasty where the dorsal hump is shaved down? (Photos)

Answers (10)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Nostril needs graft & 1 eye is half-closed - is this morph feasible? (Photos)

Is it reasonable to get rhinoplasty to correct my slight nose asymmetry?

Complications after rhinoplasty, significant nasal muscle resistance, could it be dislodged grafts?

7 months out & still swollen - is a lifted tip necessary?

Can Rhinoplasty fix an asymmetrical nostril? (Photo)

My teeth are not showing anymore after rhinoplasty (4 years ago). Is there any way to recover my upper lip mobility?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS