What Does a Surgeon Mean when Saying Your Tip is Buckled?

Question

I was told at a consultation that my tip is buckled, what does that exactly mean, I would have asked him but had to take in a lot of info in on that day and was a bit flustered.

William Franckle, MD, FACS · Answer

The term "buckled" is not one of the standard plastic surgery rhinoplasty terms. It may refer to a portion of the right or left lower lateral cartilage. This structure is chiefly responsible for the shape and size of the tip. One of the many manuevers performed during a rhinoplasty can be to reshape and stiffen this structure to achieve the tip shape you desire. I hope you didn't yawn too much during my explanation!

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Buckling usually refers to contour irregularity caused by an area of weakness. The deformity can usually be corrected with suture technique and/or cartilage grafting. This is not a conventional term used in rhinoplasty. It would probably be more useful to you to post photos so that responders could give a better estimation of what may need to be done. Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

It is difficult to answer your query without a photo. I may describe a buckled tip if I see visible irregularities that may occur after previous Rhinoplasty Surgery. 

	Hope this helps you.

	Dr. Joseph

William Portuese, MD · Answer

buckled tip cartilage can be the result of prior surgery or just a developmental anomaly of the lower lateral cartilages of the nasal tip. The the buckling is treated with a multitude of different techniques such as cartilage grafting, suturing, or removal. It all depends on the amount and shape and type of buckling present. This is all part of routine rhinoplasty in experienced hands.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Tip buckling usually refers to cartilages that are mishapen or curved and need to be treated during rhinoplasty.

What Does a Surgeon Mean when Saying Your Tip is Buckled?

Answers (5)