Bulbous Tip Correction Using Autologous Rib Cartilage – A Revision Rhinoplasty Case at NoseLab Clinic

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7월 16일
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최종 수정일: 7월 25일

Hello, this is Dr. Cha-Young Kang, Director of NoseLab Clinic.

In today’s post, I’m sharing a revision rhinoplasty case that involved bulbous tip correction through complete nasal reconstruction using autologous rib cartilage. This patient had undergone multiple prior surgeries but was still unsatisfied with the nasal shape.

Patient Background and Surgical History

Preoperative photos of a patient with a bulbous nasal tip, showing frontal, left oblique, and side views before undergoing bulbous tip correction at NoseLab Clinic. — Preoperative design consultation photos: Frontal view, left oblique side view, and left side view.

7 years ago: Silicone implant + septal cartilage
4 years ago: Silicone removal + ear cartilage graft
2 years ago: Philtrum reduction
4 years ago: Two filler injections (only one dissolved)

Preoperative photos of a patient with a bulbous nasal tip, showing right side view, right oblique view, and nostril view before undergoing bulbous tip correction surgery at NoseLab Clinic. — Preoperative design consultation photos: Right side view, right oblique side view, and nostril view.

Aesthetic Concerns

Persistent bulbous nasal tip
Nostril exposure and right alar asymmetry
Elongated nose with poor columella visibility
Prominent upper lip projection

Goals of Bulbous Tip Correction

Define and refine the nasal tip
Reduce nostril show
Improve columella exposure
Achieve a shorter and more natural-looking nose
Correct right alar asymmetry

Surgical Plan and Key Techniques

Removal of Residual Filler

Complete clearance of filler and scar tissue
Establishing a clean surgical base

Structural Reconstruction

Full septal reconstruction with autologous rib cartilage
Right alar cartilage reshaping
Rib cartilage used to define and lift the nasal tip

Functional and Aesthetic Enhancements

Septoplasty + turbinate reduction
Nasolabial angle adjustment
Controlled projection to avoid sharpness

Postoperative Results

Before and after photos of a patient who underwent bulbous tip correction using autologous rib cartilage. Frontal view showing nasal shape transformation immediately after surgery. — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

Functional Improvements

Stabilized nasal airflow
Long-term breathing comfort

Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

Aesthetic Transformation

Defined nasal tip, no longer bulbous
Balanced alar width
Reduced nostril exposure
Shorter, elegant nasal line
Improved columella display

Oblique side view comparison before and after bulbous tip correction using autologous rib cartilage. The right photo shows the immediate postoperative state with nasal airway support. — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

Nostril view comparison before and after bulbous tip correction with autologous rib cartilage. The right image shows immediate postoperative swelling and reshaped nostrils. — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

Expert Commentary

Immediately after bulbous tip correction with rib cartilage: Frontal, side, and oblique views showing postoperative nasal shape and columella projection. — Immediately after surgery: Frontal view, side view, and oblique side view photos.

Immediately after bulbous tip correction: Nostril view showing improved symmetry and internal structure post rib cartilage reconstruction. — Immediately after surgery: Nostril view photos.

This case highlights the complexity of bulbous tip correction in revision rhinoplasty.

Complete removal of residual filler was essential before reconstruction. Rib cartilage allowed for natural shaping and long-term support without the risks associated with synthetic materials.

Thanks to individualized planning and structural techniques, we achieved the patient’s aesthetic goals while ensuring functional stability.

Thank you for reading.— Dr. Cha-Young Kang, Director of NoseLab Clinic