Tip Cartilage Repositioning and Nasal Implant Removal: Case #1

This patient had undergone a simple augmentation rhinoplasty with an L-shaped silicone implant at another clinic 20 years earlier.
About 4 years ago, however, the patient began to feel that the nasal tip was becoming twisted and upturned,
and visited our clinic when the skin of the nasal tip turned red, although there was no swelling or pain.

On examination, the nostrils were pulled up into a triangular shape (nostril notching),
and the nasal tip looked angular, as if carved, and tight.
The nasal tip had been lifted by contracture, and the silicone implant on the dorsum
felt rough and uneven because of calcification.

Surgical Details

The silicone and capsule were cleanly removed through a closed approach,
and, so that the nasal tip would regain a natural, soft shape like its original form,
the tip cartilage that had been pulled upward was repositioned and released.

Removal of nasal implant and tip cartilage reposition
4 months after tip cartilage repositioning and nasal implant removal

The silicone, which had been showing through with visible edges before surgery, and the ear cartilage showing through at the nasal tip have both improved.
After surgery, the dorsum is smooth, and the dorsal line looks natural with no irregularities in the skin.
There is little difference between 1 month and 4 months after removal, and the nose has settled stably, like the patient's natural nose.

From below as well, the nasal tip has settled softly and naturally.

With the silicone implant, whose outline had been clearly visible, now removed,
the nose has a rounded, natural line, and the nose that had looked upturned and
angular because of contracture has come down, giving the tip a natural shape as well.

The patient was very satisfied to have returned to the pre-rhinoplasty appearance they had wanted.
The patient also reported that, beyond the appearance, functional and psychological problems such as the pressure felt in the nose and headaches
had improved as well.