Protruding bone/cartilage on the nose bridge 3 years post-op rhinoplasty - advice? (photos)

Question

I had rhinoplasty performed 3 years ago. Recently it seems like there's a protruding piece of cartilage/bone on my nose bridge. Ever since surgery my nose bridge was very ridged and uneven but it wasn't visible. Now there's also some discolouration (very white skin) where the bump is protruding. I am worried it might get worse since I currently have to wear tight-fitting ffp2 masks every day, which seems to be the cause of it. What can I do?The skin seems very thin around that area.

Edwin F. Williams, III, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Sometimes, as your nose continues to heal and scar tissue evolves (which occurs over many many years), you can start to see some irregularities. If it is just a small irregularity (which it looks like from your picture) this can be taken care of in the office under local anesthesia. I recommend you see your surgeon or consult with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty to discuss. Best of luck!

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

What is the protrusion on your nasal bridge? The firm prominence you feel and see on the bridge of your nose might be the edge of your left nasal bone, or the edge of the upper lateral cartilage on the left, or the formation of callus which is the scar tissue that forms on the edge of bone. It often takes many months to form Callus and if it is not very large it is obscured by the swelling and scar tissue that forms around it. But as swelling and Scar tissue resolves sometimes tiny irregularities of the bone or Cartlidge may then show through. If it bothers you enough, the only way to remove it is surgically, though the procedure is a minor one.

Protruding bone/cartilage on the nose bridge 3 years post-op rhinoplasty - advice? (photos)

Answers (2)