Nasal Tip Mobility After Removal of a Nasal Implant and Cartilage: A Case

6 years ago, this patient had the dorsum raised with silicone, and a columellar strut and a tip graft for height placed with ear cartilage.

Afterward, the silicone in the dorsum migrated upward and showed through, giving an artificial look.

At the tip as well, the grafted ear cartilage showed through the skin, and the tip was rigidly fixed with no movement.

The patient visited our clinic to resolve the awkward appearance and to restore movement to the rigidly fixed tip so as to be free of the discomfort.

Examination showed no tip movement, and the silicone was about 4 mm high. 

The skin of the dorsum was also stiff, raising suspicion of mild contracture, 

and the silicone had ridden up so far that the glabella looked high.

Because the nose looked long and awkward overall, implant removal and,

to restore soft tip movement, tip cartilage repositioning were planned.

The surgery was performed through a closed approach, 

and the dorsal silicone, capsule, columellar strut, and ear cartilage at the tip, among others, were all removed.

After implant removal, tip cartilage repositioning was performed for a soft, natural tip.

After surgery, the show-through on the dorsum and tip and the awkward look of the glabella are gone, 

and the tip has settled into a soft, natural shape.

The patient was very pleased to have regained 

free tip movement and a soft feel.