Nasal Tip Surgery (Tip Plasty) in Ankara
Work confined to the direction, projection and width of the nasal tip, leaving the dorsum untouched. It suits patients who are content with the bridge and whose concern is limited to the tip.
What tip plasty is
The cartilages that form the tip of the nose are repositioned. The height of the dorsum and the nasal bones are left alone, so no osteotomies are performed, bruising is usually less and recovery is generally shorter than after a full rhinoplasty.
The tip is the hardest part of the nose to control: the skin is thickest here and the support most delicate. It looks like a small operation but the planning requires detail.
Who it may suit
- A tip that sits low or points downward in profile
- A tip that drops noticeably when smiling
- A tip that looks wide or bulbous
- An asymmetric tip
- Being content with the dorsum and concerned only about the tip
If there is also a clear hump on the dorsum, working on the tip alone can leave an unbalanced profile. A full rhinoplasty is more appropriate in that case. Which is needed is discussed at the examination.
How it is performed
The tip cartilages are reshaped with sutures. Different suture techniques are used to rotate, narrow or support the tip. A columellar strut graft, usually taken from the septum, is often placed to stop the tip dropping.
A tip that falls when smiling is usually caused by the muscle between the nose and the upper lip pulling on it. In suitable cases the attachment of this muscle can be released to reduce the effect.
The procedure can be done closed or open. The open technique is chosen when detailed work on the tip is required.
Recovery
- First 3 days Swelling and tightness at the tip. Because the bones are untouched, bruising is usually limited.
- Week 1 Any splint is removed. Most patients return to work during this period.
- Months 1 to 2 Coarse swelling resolves. The tip may look higher and stiffer than intended during this time; this is temporary.
- Months 6 to 12 Fine swelling at the tip resolves slowly. This takes longer in patients with thicker skin.
These are average times; recovery varies from person to person.
Written and medically reviewed by
Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon · Last reviewed:
Frequently asked questions
Can I have only the tip done?
If the dorsum is suitable, yes. If there is a clear hump, working on the tip alone can leave an unbalanced profile; this is assessed together at the examination.
Will the tip be turned up too much?
In the first weeks the tip sits higher than intended. This is swelling and tissue that has not yet settled, and it improves with time.
Will it affect my breathing?
The tip sits next to the nasal valve. If support is not built correctly, breathing can be affected, which is why the valve is assessed whenever the tip is worked on.
Will there be a scar?
In the open technique there is an incision of a few millimetres across the skin between the nostrils, and it becomes difficult to see over time. In the closed technique all incisions stay inside the nose.
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