Understanding the Different Types of Rhinoplasty

If you’ve been considering a rhinoplasty surgery to correct what you see as an imperfect nose, don’t make the mistake of assuming that all nasal surgeries are performed in the exact same way. While your facial plastic surgeon will likely use the same (or similar) incisions to achieve your desired results, what he or she will do to correct your concerns could be very different. There are several different types of rhinoplasty that can be performed to address very specific needs and problems. Learn about the types of rhinoplasty, what they offer, and which one might be the best choice for you.

Resizing Rhinoplasties: Reduction and Augmentation

A common complaint heard about noses concerns the size: many prospective patients claim their noses are too big or too small. Reduction rhinoplasty and augmentation rhinoplasty are considered to be the two main types of rhinoplasty. These procedures can offer relief to those who feel their nose is out of proportion to the other features of the face. Incisions are typically placed inside the nostrils or just underneath the tip on the skin between the nostrils, resulting in nearly invisible scars.

During a reduction rhinoplasty, your facial plastic surgeon will remove or rearrange cartilage and bone from your nose in order to reduce the size of the nasal structure. No skin is removed from the nose, as it will shrink down to the new size once your surgery is completed. To perform an augmentation rhinoplasty, your surgeon will begin by reshaping the existing structure and will likely add in materials to increase the size. Often, a bone graft from the hip, rib, or elsewhere can be used to add bone mass to the nasal structure. Cartilage might also be harvested from the ears if needed. In some cases, artificial implants can create the desired results. Again, the skin of the nose isn’t touched; it will stretch to accommodate the new size of your enhanced nose.

Refinement Rhinoplasty: A Perfect Tip

After the size of the nose, complaints about the nasal tip rank a close second among reasons for rhinoplasty surgery. Many patients are unhappy with the way their nose points up or down at the tip, how bulbous or round the tip appears, or how pointy the tip is. Refining the nasal tip is a common strategy for rhinoplasty but should be planned carefully with a skilled facial plastic surgeon. One tell-tale sign of a “nose job” is a tip that’s too pointy, so be careful.

Refinement rhinoplasty can involve various tactics to fine-tune the nasal tip in a more pleasing fashion, one that complements the other features of the face. Your surgeon may add or remove cartilage and tissue in order to perfect the tip’s shape or direction. Discuss your specific concerns about your nasal tip during your rhinoplasty consultation to ensure your best results.

Ethnic Rhinoplasty: Change and Preservation

Not all noses have the same characteristics, but within specific ethnic groups, nasal surgeons have observed many of the same traits and features. While original rhinoplasty strategies were developed for typical Caucasian nasal structures, many surgeons are now focusing on the unique nasal characteristics of other ethnic groups, including Middle Eastern, African American, and Asian, among others. With ethnic rhinoplasty, the main goal of the facial plastic surgeon is to achieve the desired results of the patient without changing his or her sense of ethnicity. A cookie-cutter approach just won’t do in today’s world. A facial plastic surgeon experienced in ethnic rhinoplasty can provide customized results to each patient while preserving his or her ethnic identity as well.

Reconstructive Rhinoplasty

Following surgery to remove cancer or occasionally following facial trauma, the nose may be left severely disfigured due to the lack of tissue that has been removed or lost. Reconstructive rhinoplasty refers to surgery required to restore tissue that is absent or has been damaged beyond repair. Tissue replacement is usually thought of in terms of replacing the three layers of the nose: 1) the outer skin-soft tissue envelope including skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia, 2) the middle foundation layer or bone-cartilage framework and 3) the inner mucosal lining. Surgical repair requires the use of grafts and flaps from various parts of the body to restore the missing component tissues. The overall reconstructive process typically requires multiple staged surgical procedures. Again, both the surgeon and patient need to understand the limitations in the final outcome that such deformities are associated with.

Choosing Your Strategy for Nasal Surgery

To learn more about which type of rhinoplasty is right for you, consult with a recognized expert in facial plastic surgeryand guarantee your best results. Dr. Andrew Frankel is board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Ear Nose and Throat). He is exceptionally well trained in the field of nasal surgery and has been recognized for his original research regarding vasculature to the nose and rhinoplasty’s effect on it. Schedule your appointment today with a world-renowned facial plastic surgeon to guarantee your best rhinoplasty results. Contact Dr. Frankel’s office, located at 201 Lasky Drive in Beverly Hills, California, by calling (310) 552-2173.