My daughter got kicked in the nose a couple years ago at a play date when she was 7, leaving a bump. Will it need to be removed?

Question

She cried, but there was no blood or swelling. Months later a dorsal hump had formed. I Read that it probably would go away, but 2 years later it hasn't. Should she see an ENT now so they can look and see what happened? Or wait until she's older if she wants it fixed? I'm hoping that she will just grow into the bump and it will look fine, but to me, it seems to be getting more noticeable. Thanks for your response!

Thomas A. Mustoe, MD, FACS · Answer

Nasal growth
is not complete until your daughter has gone through puberty, and so it would
be best to wait until that time — age 14 or 15. Some of the increase in her
bump now could be due to growth. I have seen many patients even without a
history of trauma develop a bump sometime during their preteen years. Thanks
for your question, and best wishes.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

I am so sorry to hear of your daughter's injury, and especially that it has not resolved over two years. Some of my colleagues may have a different opinion, and information is never a bad thing, but looking inside your daughter's nose could potentially be somewhat frightening, and dissuade her from the "real" examination she will need prior to any sort of surgical intervention (rhinoplasty). Cosmetic surgery of the nose is best deferred until nasal growth is complete.First question: is there any airway concern or difficulty breathing? If so, then evaluation now may be necessary, though unless breathing is terrible, I would still counsel waiting until her growth has stopped at age 15 or 16, after which rhinoplasty is no longer trying to hit a "moving target" while change is still occurring.The bump may cause social concerns or even teasing, but none of those are sufficient reasons to undergo premature surgery that may need to be re-done when her nasal growth is completed. Severe breathing issues might induce surgical intervention now, but I would reserve cosmetic changes until she is done growing. This gives the highest likelihood for a once-done best outcome, instead of two or more nose surgeries.For example, my own daughter "inherited" my big schnozz on her cute face, and started complaining about it at age 12. Her growth was complete by age 15 (almost 16), so that is when I performed her rhinoplasty. It remains cute to this day some 18 years later. Your daughter's nose should be allowed to complete growth, after which rhinoplasty is perfectly reasonable. But not now. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

R. Laurence Berkowitz, MD · Answer

Without a photograph it is difficult to assess the degree of concern we should have.  Your pediatrician would be the best source of information for a nine year old child.  Plastic surgeons rarely intervene in this age group unless  unusual and compelling circumstances dictate otherwise.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Trauma to the nose can result in a widening of the nasal bones and creation of a dorsal hump to due to overgrowth of both bone and cartilage in that area. It is best to wait until  female patient's are 16, or males are 18 before undergoing any cosmetic nasal surgery, in order to make sure the nose has quit growing. The hump removal can be performed along with osteotomies of the nasal bones to straighten and narrow them as well. For many examples, please see the link and video below

My daughter got kicked in the nose a couple years ago at a play date when she was 7, leaving a bump. Will it need to be removed?

Answers (4)

Answer: Dorsal bump after trauma

Answer: Dorsal bump after trauma

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My daughter got kicked in the nose a couple years ago at a play date when she was 7, leaving a bump. Will it need to be removed?

Answers (4)

Answer: Dorsal bump after trauma

Answer: Dorsal bump after trauma

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.