Revision Rhinoplasty for a Short, Upturned Nose in Korea

Revision Rhinoplasty for a Short, Upturned Nose in Korea

Hello, this is Dr. Cha-Young Kang, head surgeon at Nose Lab Clinic.

Today, I’d like to share a case of revision rhinoplasty for a short, upturned nose in a patient who had previously undergone multiple nasal surgeries. Over the last two years, the patient experienced worsening nasal obstruction along with a progressively shortened and upturned nose.

Pre-Surgery Design Consultation Photos

Pre-Surgery Analysis of Short and Upturned Nose

Findings:

• Overexposed nostrils and small nose on the frontal view

• Drooping yet upturned nasal tip with a high radix

• Bulbous tip and short nasal length on side and oblique views

• Nostril asymmetry and tilted columella

Pre-Surgery Design Consultation Photos

Surgical Plan for Revision Rhinoplasty

1. Reuse of previous cartilage (septal & ear cartilage where possible)

2. Donor rib cartilage graft – septal extension to lengthen and correct the upturned tip

3. Replacement of nasal implant – removed old implant, placed new silicone implant at lower radix

4. Septoplasty – straightened deviated septum

5. Turbinate reduction – radiofrequency treatment for enlarged turbinates

6. Tip angle adjustment – corrected nasolabial angle and protruding lips

7. Correction of nostril and columella asymmetry

Closed Rhinoplasty Procedures with Donor Rib Cartilage

• Donor rib cartilage combined with septal cartilage for a stable septal extension graft

• Ear cartilage reused for nasal tip support

• Old implant removed, new silicone implant placed at lower starting point

• Deviated septum corrected, turbinates reduced

• Nasal tip refined with improved nasolabial angle

• Nostril asymmetry corrected and columella straightened

• All procedures performed with a closed rhinoplasty approach, avoiding external scars

Before-and-After Results of Revision Rhinoplasty

Before (Left) / After (Right)

• Frontal View: Reduced nostril exposure, balanced proportions

Before (Left) / After (Right)

• Side View: Drooping and upturned tip corrected, radix lowered, bulbous tip refined

Before (Left) / After (Right)

• Oblique View: Nose lengthened, profile more proportional

Before (Left) / After (Right)

• Nostril View: Nostril asymmetry improved, columella straightened

Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes of Short Nose Revision

Photos taken immediately after surgery, frontal view, 45-angle view, and side profile.

Photo of the nostrils

This case highlights the success of revision rhinoplasty for short and upturned noses:

• Combined donor rib cartilage with existing cartilage for stability

• Recycled septal and ear cartilage minimized tissue loss

• Achieved both functional (improved airflow) and aesthetic (natural profile) results

• Performed entirely through a closed rhinoplasty approach, leaving no external scars

Conclusion

For patients with short or upturned noses—especially after multiple prior surgeries—revision rhinoplasty with rib cartilage can restore both form and function.

At Nose Lab Clinic, we specialize in personalized, closed rhinoplasty techniques that harmonize aesthetics with breathing function.

This has been Dr. Cha-Young Kang, head surgeon at Nose Lab Clinic.

Nose Lab performs all surgeries using the closed rhinoplasty approach.

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