Can you remove or shave down a bridge diced cartilage graft? (Photo)

Question

In a retouch my doctor put a diced fibrosis scar tissue glued together to augmentate the radix and bridge of my nose. I didn’t want him to do that and I think my bridge and radix are too high. I was wondering if you can shave down a diced graft or remove it, and if my nose will lose structure if I do that once it heals completely. II may have to reduce my tip by 1mm so it doesn’t look to pointy, but that’s it. I used to love the curve my nose had and now it’s completely straight, I hate it.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. Based on your photograph, you may benefit from a revision rhinoplasty. The dorsum and radix can be safely brought down and I would also recommend nasal tip deprojection at the same time. With good surgical technique, you could have an outstanding result. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Hi, It is better for you to consult with your facial plastic surgeon who can examine you and give you opinion based on examination. It can be done

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

This is a two part answer.  The first is that it is quite easy to shave down grafts placed along the dorsum of the nose to lower the bridge.  However, as I look at the photo that you have provided, your radix is already very low and reducing that area would not improve the appearance of your nose.  I would be very careful about asking for millimeter changes to your nose as there is no guarantee that this degree of change is obtainable without over reducing the dorsum.

Can you remove or shave down a bridge diced cartilage graft? (Photo)

Answers (3)