What causes a polly beak deformity after rhinoplasty?

Question

Jason D. Bloom, MD, FACS · Answer

A poly beak deformity is when the supratip area of the nasal bridge or dorsum projects further than the nasal tip.  Knowing that, there are a number of different things that can cause it after a rhinoplasty surgery.  The two most common, in my mind, are a lack of tip support or an inadequate removal of supratip cartilage.  First, if the profile looks great after surgery and the tip support is not adequate, the tip will drop and the supratip cartilage will be the most projected.Second, if the doctor was conservative in his dorsal bridge resection of the cartilage, there can be extra cartilage left in this region that can result in a polybeak.Finally, things like soft tissue fullness and scar tissue can also result in a post op poly beak deformity.

Bryan W. Rubach, MD · Answer

Polly beak can be caused by multiple factors. The most significant is the surgeon not building in enough tip support during the surgical procedure and during the healing phase or over time the tip drops creating the deformity. Additional factors that predispose are thick skin, not having enough compression on the tip during the immediate post operative period and as a result allowing blood to collect under the tip of the nose. This blood then transforms into scar tissue as healing occurs. Close follow up is important with your surgeon as sometimes it is possible to modify the tip shape if polly beak is developing by using steroid injections.

What causes a polly beak deformity after rhinoplasty?

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What causes a polly beak deformity after rhinoplasty?

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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