Rhinoplasty Gallery

A young man in his late teens who has had a broken nose in the past. He was troubled by the nose being crooked, as well as by the dorsal hump. He wanted to have a natural appearance after surgery and be able to breath better. In addition to a severe deviation of his septum, he had internal collapse of the “internal nasal valve” when he inspired. This is also know as “vestibular collapse” and is the obstruction that is often made better with “Breathe Rite” strips. He is shown before and again, 6 months after a septorhinoplasty with an external approach/ incision across the columnella and a non-destructive tip rhinoplasty. In addition to straightening the nose and septum, “spreader grafts” were placed. This is a match stick sized piece of the septal cartilage that is placed just below the upper edge of the septum and prevents collapse in this area when he breathes in. He is thrilled with the appearance of his nose 6 months after surgery, and can breath without nasal obstruction. The nasal tip area will typically continue to improve in appearance and definition for about 3 years after surgery.

A woman in her early 40’s who was troubled by a bulbous tip and a minor hump. She felt she had “a bulb on the end” of her nose. She also had some internal nasal valve collapse, the type that is improved with “Breath rite” strips. She is shown before and again, 2 years after an open rhinoplasty combined with spreader graft placement to correct the valve collapse. She is thrilled with the improved shape of her nose, and is able to breath more easily as well. An open rhinoplasty was performed through an incision across her columnella.

A woman in her mid 30’s who was bothered by a “hump” and a tip which “drooped”. Her early photos are shown 6 weeks after an open rhinoplasty. Although she already has an excellent result, we can expect that the tip will continue to improve in appearance over the next 3 years as subtle swelling present after surgery continues to resolve.

Our patient is now seen at 3 months after surgery. Her breathing obstruction is now corrected as the swelling has diminished. The nasal shape achieved at surgery is better seen as swelling continues to diminish.

A woman in her mid 50’s who wanted rhinoplasty (nasal reshaping) She was troubled by a dorsal hump, a boxy tip, and drooping of the tip which had increased as she has gotten older. On examination she was noted to have a bifid tip with some asymmetry and drooping. She also was noted to have collapse of the “internal valve” area which led to collapse of her nose when she inhaled- something that can be temporarily improved with a Breathe Right (use the registered mark) strip, and permanently improved with the placement of a strip of cartilage at the time of surgery known as a “spreader graft”. She is shown before and again, 10 months after an “open” rhinoplasty with a small incision across the columnella and placement of a dorsal strut graft for better tip support. She wished to maintain a natural appearance of her nose, and is pleased by the improved appearance as well as the improvement in her breathing.

A woman in her 20’s who underwent a rhinoplasty by another surgeon at the age of 14 to treat a dorsal hump and drooping tip through an endonasal (only internal incisions) approach. She had collapse of her left nasal tip after the surgery and has been concerned with continued drooping of the tip, asymmetry of the nostrils, and difficulty breathing. Her nose would collapse on breathing in, a condition called vestibular stenosis. This is frequently treated temporarily with a Breath Right Nasal Strip ® but can be permanently improved by placing spreader grafts- a strip of the septal cartilage placed on each side along the top of the septum to hold the airway open, but in a hidden location. Her lower alar cartilages also had a “barrel- stave” appearance. An endonasal approach does not allow the surgeon as many options in shaping the nose and makes it difficult to add structure to the nose where it is needed. An “open” rhinoplasty approach was chosen, that adds a 6 mm incision across the columnella, and allows a complete exposure of the inner nose so that the nasal cartilages can be corrected and strengthened with sutures and grafts. A hidden strut was also placed to allow the tip to be elevated and to support it just above the dorsum. She is shown 6 months after her surgery, and no longer has nasal obstruction. The tip of her nose has better symmetry, the “barrel stave” appearance has been corrected, and the drooping of the nasal tip also corrected. It is typical to take 2 or more years for the swelling of the tip of the nose to fully subside and reveal the final appearance, but she is thrilled with her early result.

A 21 yo woman is shown before and 4 months after an aesthetic (cosmetic) rhinoplasty (reshaping of the nose) combined with septoplasty (straightening of the crooked cartilage inside the nose) and correction of “vestibular stenosis” with placement of spreader grafts. An “open” rhinoplasty was performed using an incision across the columnella and extending into the nose. “Vestibular stenosis” sometimes referred to as collapse of the “internal valve” happens with the nose collapsing when the patient breaths in, and is commonly temporarily improved with over the counter “Breath Right” (registered) strips. Small cartilage grafts known as “spreader grafts” can be placed inside at the time of a rhinoplasty to improve this condition. She is pleased with the natural appearance of her nose and improved breathing after surgery.

38 yo woman shown before and nearly 3 years after aesthetic rhinoplasty. Obstructed breathing was also corrected inside the nose with septoplasty, bilateral spreader graft placement and left inferior turbinectomy. The mole on her left upper nose was removed in the office 5 months after her original surgery. Her nasal obstruction is resolved following surgery, and she is pleased with the new shape of her nose. Odd photos are before, even are after.