A rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that alters the shape of the nose. While it is sometimes done to improve a person’s breathing, rhinoplasty is often done to improve the nose’s appearance. This is usually the case when it comes to changing the shape and the size of the nasal dorsum, or the “bridge” of the nose. This is the bone and cartilage structure that connects the tip of the nose to the face. An enlarged nasal dorsum can form what is known as a dorsal hump. This is a pronounced bump that can be seen on the bridge of the nose. While it is completely harmless and does not interfere with a person’s ability to breathe, many people want to have their dorsal humps reshaped or removed altogether.

The removal of a dorsal hump is known as a “reduction rhinoplasty.” Before this procedure is completed, the surgeon will examine the patient and determine if the dorsal hump is made up of cartilage, bone, or both. The makeup of the hump will determine the surgical method. In any case, the procedure will involve removing the bone or cartilage and giving the patient a straighter, smoother nose. It is usually a rather simple procedure that requires minimal recovery time, but patients with thicker skin that need to have significant amounts of skin and cartilage removed can pose a challenge to all but the most skilled and experienced surgeons.

A rhinoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, and the recovery time is usually short. Most patients will need to wear a cast on their noses for six days and place an ice pack on their eyes to prevent swelling.

Non-Surgical Rhinoplasty

While a reduction rhinoplasty normally involves surgery, a non-surgical solution may be available for some patients. Dermal fillers injected above and below the dorsal hump can sometimes reduce its pronounced appearance. This is known as liquid rhinoplasty, and it involves injecting small amounts of filler to smooth the appearance of the nasal dorsum. A numbing agent is used to keep pain to a minimum. This procedure works best for patients with smaller dorsal humps, so speak to your surgeon to learn if this could be an option for you.