Visible cartilage graft on the tip of my nose. Any suggestions? (photos)

Question

I have had three rhinoplastys. From what I can see years later, my skin looks like it has thinned and now I can see a hard cartilage graft that was placed on the tip of my nose. It really bothers me and my nose is very senistive to cold temperatures and feels tight around the graft. I would hate to go under the knife again. Any suggestions? Can the graft be removed?

Andrew Pichler, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, you will need to have another procedure and you should not delay to avoid the graft eventually perforating the skin. See an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who maybe able to sculpt and save part the graft with a soft tissue overlay to avoid collapse of the area.

Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD · Answer

There is really no way to avoid yet another surgery to correct your situation.  You may be left with the opposite problem - a dent - if the cartilage is simply removed.  It may need to be replaced with crushed cartilage which could fill in the area without rigidity, or hard edges to show through like your current graft does.

David Reinstadler, MD · Answer

The short answer is - Yes, the graft can be removed. Now the issue will be what is remaining underneath and if you just remove it, will the tip look more abnormal than before. I would recommend visiting with a revision rhinoplasty surgeon so they can examine your nose in person, and give you an idea of what would be involved. Best of luck

Visible cartilage graft on the tip of my nose. Any suggestions? (photos)

Answers (3)

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