Two years post rhinoplasty - How can I treat this bump? (Photo)

Question

I have a small, soft, external bump right at the top of my right nostril. It showed up 10 days post surgery and hasn’t changed . My surgery was 2 years ago.

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

It can be hard to say for sure without an examination, but sometimes the cartilage inside can become crooked, creating a bump like that. The correction would involve a revision rhinoplasty where that cartilage can be set in the proper position, shaved some, and better camouflaged. Be sure to see a rhinoplasty expert for consultation.

Ziad Katrib, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello. This is likely a tip bossae, which is related to the actual cartilaginous substructure of the nasal tip. In person examination would be required to confirm, but if that is the case it would require further surgery to remove the affected cartilage and camouflage the area properly.

Gianfranco Frojo, MD · Answer

That is likely your right lower lateral cartilage genu (turning point) pressing against the skin. This creates a white shiny bump. It could also be a cartilage graft that moved. It could also be abnormal scarring. I would recommend seeing an expert rhinoplasty surgeon who has ultrasound and/or CT capabilities to see what is going on.

Mert Demirel, MD · Answer

A small, soft bump near the nostril that appeared shortly after surgery and has stayed unchanged for 2 years is usually not an emergency. It may be related to scar tissue, a small area of cartilage irregularity, suture reaction, thickened soft tissue, or a localized change in the healing around the nostril rim.
Since it has been stable for this long, it is less likely to be an active infection or something dangerous. However, the exact cause can only be determined by examination, because a soft bump and a cartilage-related bump are treated differently.
If it is mild and not bothering you much, observation is reasonable. If it bothers you cosmetically, the treatment may range from a small steroid injection in selected scar-tissue cases to a minor revision procedure if there is cartilage or structural irregularity. I would not recommend trying to massage, squeeze, or treat it at home, because this can irritate the area.
The best next step is an in-person evaluation with your rhinoplasty surgeon or a revision rhinoplasty specialist to decide whether it is scar tissue, cartilage, or soft tissue fullness before choosing treatment.

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

The photo shows a small localized contour prominence just above the right nostril, but an image cannot distinguish scar tissue, a suture reaction, or a cartilage edge. Because it appeared 10 days after surgery and has remained unchanged for two years, spontaneous resolution is less likely, and an in-person examination by your rhinoplasty surgeon is the appropriate next step.

Treatment depends on what is palpable: observation may be reasonable if it is stable and asymptomatic, while a retained suture or focal scar or cartilage irregularity may need a small targeted treatment or revision. Do not squeeze or inject the area without first identifying the cause.

Yasemin Aydinli, MD · Answer

A soft bump that appeared early and has stayed unchanged for two years is most often a small area of scar tissue or a graft edge rather than anything concerning. From what I can see in your photo, it does look like graft cartilage. If it were scar tissue, a tiny steroid injection could soften it, and if it is a graft edge, a minor revision can trim or change position and smooth it. Which one applies can only be confirmed by physical examination.

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

could be cartilage, swelling, or scar tissue. have you checked in with your surgeon? they would know best based on what was done.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. That is an asymmetric blanching cartilage pressure point. Based on your photograph, you may benefit from a revision rhinoplasty. Maneuvers for your surgery would include nasal tip deprojection, placement of a fascial tip graft , among other maneuvers. Make sure you are going to a surgeon with hundreds of long-term before and after pictures on their website with standardized lighting and standardized backgrounds. 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

S. Daniel Golshani, MD, FACS · Answer

A small, soft bump that appeared shortly after surgery and has remained unchanged for two years could be related to scar tissue, a suture, cartilage irregularity, or another localized postoperative change. At this stage, it is unlikely to resolve on its own, so the best next step is an in-person examination by your original surgeon or a board-certified rhinoplasty specialist. The appropriate treatment depends entirely on what the bump is, sometimes observation or a minor procedure is enough, while other cases may require revision surgery.

Andreas Ioannides, MD · Answer

A small, soft bump that appeared shortly after rhinoplasty and has remained unchanged for two years is unlikely to resolve on its own at this stage. Possible causes include scar tissue, a small soft-tissue irregularity, or a reaction around the underlying cartilage. An in-person examination is necessary to determine the exact cause. If the bump is bothersome, treatment options may range from observation to a minor revision procedure, depending on the findings.

Two years post rhinoplasty - How can I treat this bump? (Photo)

Answers (10)

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