[Nose Lab Clinic]
Hello, this is Dr. Cha-Young Kang, Director of Nose Lab Clinic.
Today, I’d like to share a case where autologous rib cartilage was used exclusively to correct a prominent dorsal hump and nasal obstruction. This patient sought a natural-looking outcome without synthetic implants, prioritizing both function and aesthetics.
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Design Consultation: Frontal View, Left Side View, and Oblique Side View Photos
1. Initial Diagnosis & Patient Concerns
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Design Consultation: Right Side View, Oblique Side View, and Nostril View Photos
a. Preoperative Findings
✔ Large nose with a prominent dorsal hump
✔ Overly long, drooping nasal tip
✔ Small nasolabial angle causing tip ptosis
✔ Right-sided septal deviation
✔ Inferior turbinate hypertrophy (causing nasal congestion)
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Right Nasal Cavity, Left Nasal Cavity
b. Patient’s Surgical Goals
🔹 Achieve a natural-looking result using only autologous tissue
🔹 Correct the dorsal hump for a softer profile
🔹 Improve nasal breathing by addressing septal deviation
🔹 Refine nasal proportions while maintaining a balanced appearance
2. Surgical Plan & Procedure
a. Functional Improvements
✔ Septal reconstruction using autologous rib cartilage
✔ Correction of the deviated septum
✔ Submucosal resection of hypertrophic inferior turbinates using radiofrequency
b. Structural Adjustments
✔ Dorsal hump reduction – carefully sculpted to achieve a smooth contour
✔ Lateral osteotomy – narrowing and aligning the nasal bones for symmetry
✔ Nasal bridge augmentation using rib cartilage – to refine the nasal dorsum without synthetic implants
c. Aesthetic Refinement
✔ Nasolabial angle correction – elevating the nasal tip for a balanced profile
✔ Proportionate reduction of nasal length
✔ Harmonizing the overall nasal structure with the patient’s facial features
3. Postoperative Results
a. Functional Improvements
✔ Significant relief from nasal obstruction
✔ Restored structural stability with septal reconstruction
✔ Improved airflow due to increased nasal passage space
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Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)
b. Aesthetic Enhancements
✔ Smoother, more refined nasal bridge
✔ Well-balanced nasal proportions
✔ Improved tip projection and natural-looking refinement
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Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)
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Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)
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Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)
4. Expert Insights – Challenges & Considerations
🔸 Key Surgical Challenges
1️⃣ Severe septal deviation required extensive correction using rib cartilage for structural support.
2️⃣ Maintaining a natural dorsal profile – Dorsal hump reduction was carefully executed to avoid an over-reduced or scooped appearance.
3️⃣ Avoiding nasal lengthening – By adjusting the nasolabial angle and preserving nasal support, we prevented the nose from looking excessively long.
🔹 Key Takeaways
✅ Autologous rib cartilage provides stable, long-term results for structural and aesthetic enhancements.
✅ Balancing functional correction and aesthetics is essential to achieving a natural-looking yet well-supported nose.
✅ Harmonizing the nasal tip and bridge ensures a proportionate, elegant result.
5. Conclusion – A Balanced & Functional Outcome
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Immediately After Surgery: Frontal, Side, and Oblique Side View Photos
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Immediately After Surgery: Nostril View Photos
Through precise structural reinforcement and artistic refinement, this patient achieved:
🔹 A naturally straight and proportional nose
🔹 A smooth dorsal bridge without excessive height
🔹 Significantly improved breathing function
At Nose Lab Clinic, we specialize in tailored, patient-specific rhinoplasty techniques, ensuring that both function and beauty are optimized.
Dr. Cha-Young Kang
Director, Nose Lab Clinic
Thank you.
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