Does removing a dorsal hump on a thick nose result in a wider appearance from the front?

Question

I've spent literally hours reading through reviews on this site, and I've come to an alarming conclusion. It seems that many people who have thicker nose bridges that go in to get a dorsal hump taken down, end up with wider looking noses from the front. Their profiles look stellar, but the front looks much thicker than prior to surgery. Is this something that can be equated to the nature of thick noses or has to do with technique (the surgeons themselves)? Can it be prevented?

David W. Kim, MD · Answer

This is a great question and an important thing to consider when one seeks hump reduction rhinoplasty.  Yes indeed there is a tendency for greater width with reduced height (lower bridge).  There are 2 main reasons for this.  First, the nose sits on the face like a triangular pyramid.  With hump reduction, the top part of the pyramid, which is the narrowest part, is removed, leaving behind a wider surface.  Secondly, the skin of the nose may thicken if there reduction exceeds the limit of the skin's ability to shrink and contract and drape over the lowered bridge.  If this happens, the skin envelope can thicken and also increase width.These issues can be offset in the hands of a skilled rhinoplasty surgeon.  For example, the nasal bones can be cut and brought inward to compensate for the first issue above.  The skin thickening can be avoided by good judgment--reducing only to the appropriate level based on the patient's skin characteristics.If the surgery is planned well and executed skillfully, in most cases the patient can have the best of both worlds--an improved profile and a narrow sleek frontal appearance.

Sirius K. Yoo, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  This is certainly an issue with dorsal hump take-down that must be accounted for if you expect a good result.  I have provided a link that explains this phenomenon as well as the technique that skilled surgeons use to avoid a wide nose.  Choose a skilled rhinoplasty specialist in your area who can walk you through the process of getting the nose you are hoping for.  All the best!

Richard Rival, MD, FRCSC · Answer

This is an excellent question and one that is often not discussed enough. Patients that have a tall overprojected bridge with a bump typically have a narrow defined front view.  They often like their front view but hate their profile. When the bridge is reduced typically as discussed by other surgeons the bones are narrowed at their base  ( where they join the cheek) this helps narrow the nose again from the front view. The top part of the bridge will however look less defined and slightly wider to some degree. This is usually in fact a positive change as it draws more attention to the eyes and makes the nose look softer and less prominent. The degree to which the bridge narrows depends on how the skin contracts after surgery. In general thicker skin will not contract as well as thin skin.  It is sometimes better to leave a taller bridge in patients with thick skin to preserve a a more defined front view. In your search for a surgeon review their before and after photos and in particular look at the front views in patients that had a large hump removed. Try not to focus on the absolute width of the bridge before and after but whether or not you like the overall change in the look and prominence of the nose from the front.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Dorsal hump takedown can make the nose look wider if osteotomies are not done. It should not make it look wider.  It may look wide initially due to swelling.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The dorsal hump is composed of bone bone and cartilage and it must be shaved down in order to remove it. After the hump has been removed during the surgery, an open roof, flat top nasal deformity is temporarily created. Osteotomies of the nasal bones are then required to close the open roof and narrow the bridge line. A very experienced rhinoplasty surgeon can accomplish narrowing a wide bridge line, or widening a narrow bridge line, depending upon the presenting anatomy. For many examples of narrowing a wide nose and widening a narrow nose, please see the link and video below  to our closed rhinoplasty photo gallery

Does removing a dorsal hump on a thick nose result in a wider appearance from the front?

Answers (8)

Answer: Dorsal hump

Answer: Dorsal hump

Answer: Rhinoplasty for dorsal hump removal

Answer: Rhinoplasty for dorsal hump removal

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Does removing a dorsal hump on a thick nose result in a wider appearance from the front?

Answers (8)

Answer: Dorsal hump

Answer: Dorsal hump

Answer: Rhinoplasty for dorsal hump removal

Answer: Rhinoplasty for dorsal hump removal

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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.