Hello, I am Dr. Peter C. Kang.
Today, I would like to share the case of a patient who underwent nasal reconstruction using autologous rib cartilage to improve a bulbous and flared nasal tip.
Front, left profile, and oblique views during design consultation
Surgical history: Closed rhinoplasty
4 years ago: Septal cartilage + ear cartilage + silicone implant + alar reduction
🔎 Initial consultation findings
Design consultation: right oblique, profile, and basal (nostril) views.
Front view
Flared nasal bridge and nasal tip
Nostril asymmetry
Bulbous nose
Crooked nose
2. Profile view
Drooping nasal tip
Bulbous nasal tip
Protruding mouth observed
3. Nostrils
Left-right asymmetry
Flared nasal tip
💉 Surgical procedure details
Structural reconstruction
Septal extension using autologous rib cartilage
Secured structural stability by restoring the septal cartilage harvested during the previous surgery back to its original site
Corrected the wide nasal bridge using lateral osteotomy
2. Shape improvement
Adjusted the height of the nasal bridge and nasal tip
Improved overall proportions
Corrected the deviated areas
3. Detailed adjustments
Improvement of protruding mouth through nasolabial angle correction
Securing nostril symmetry
Refined the blunt, flared nasal tip
✅ Surgical results
Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
Front view
Slimmer bridge line
Improved nostril symmetry
Natural correction of the bulbous nose
Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
2. Profile view
Stable nasal tip height
Improved protruding mouth
Refined profile line
Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
3. Overall changes
Gained three-dimensional definition
Stable structure
Natural line
Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
👨⚕️ Specialist's assessment
This case involved correcting a bulbous nose, a flared nasal tip, and nostril asymmetry. Because too much septal cartilage had been harvested during the previous surgery, the remaining septum was structurally weakened; a key feature of this procedure was restoring structural stability by returning the septal cartilage—previously used as septal extension material—back to its original anatomical position. Furthermore, performing septal extension with autologous rib cartilage secured structural stability and restored overall balance. In particular, achieving improvement in a protruding mouth alongside bulbous nose correction led to a satisfying outcome.
This was Dr. Peter C. Kang. Thank you.
Thank you.
Front, profile, and oblique views taken immediately after surgery (day 0).Immediate postoperative photos show swelling and may differ from the final result.
Nostril view on day 0 immediately after surgery. Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
#closedrhinoplasty #revisionrhinoplasty #autologousribcartilage #bulbousnosecorrection #customrhinoplasty
Limitations and risks
When autologous rib cartilage is used, scarring and pain may remain at the donor site on the chest, and pneumothorax (pleural injury) can occur rarely. Over time, the grafted cartilage may warp or undergo partial resorption.
When the septum is corrected at the same time, nasal obstruction may persist or recur, and in rare cases, septal perforation or changes in smell may occur.
Common potential risks include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, scarring, skin necrosis, and insufficient improvement; results vary depending on individual skin condition and previous surgical history.