Changes that occur when inflammation persists after rhinoplasty and reconstruction methods

Hello, I am Dr. Peter C. Kang.

Today, I would like to share the case of a patient who resolved inflammation and an upturned nose that began 12 years ago through autologous rib cartilage reconstruction.

12 years ago

• First rhinoplasty

• Inflammation occurred on day 0 immediately after surgery Immediate postoperative photos show swelling and may differ from the final result.

11 years and 6 months ago

• Tip-binding surgery

8 years ago

• Ear cartilage + septum + silicone implant + chin implant

Functional issues

• Chronic rhinitis symptoms

• Deviated septum

• Complaints of stuffiness due to nasal valve stenosis

Aesthetic issues

• Redness of the nasal bridge

• Upturned nose (caused by excessive elevation of the nasal tip)

• Wide nose

• Structural instability from previous surgeries

Special notes

• Tissue damage caused by inflammation lasting 12 years

• Scar tissue from multiple surgeries

• Resolution of rhinitis symptoms

• Improvement of nasal bridge redness

• Natural correction of the upturned nose

• Improvement of a wide nose

• Stable and lasting results

Structural reconstruction

• Reconstruction using autologous rib cartilage

• Replacement of the existing unstable structure

• Repositioning of tip cartilage to correct the upturned nose

Functional improvement (3 functional procedures)

• Correction of deviated septum

• Fundamental treatment for chronic rhinitis

• Restoration of breathing function through nasal valve reconstruction

Inflammation management

• Clearing the areas of inflammation that persisted for 12 years

• Eliminating the cause of nasal bridge redness

• Establish a stable healing environment

Functional improvement

• Alleviation of rhinitis symptoms

• Restoration of smooth breathing function

• Relief of nasal stuffiness by improving nasal valve stenosis

Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.

Front view

• Expected improvement in nasal bridge redness

• Naturally corrected wide nose

• Balanced overall facial proportions

Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.

Profile view

• Correction from an upturned nose to a natural nasal tip

• Stable overall nasal structure

• Harmonious facial profile

Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.

Long-term stability

• Long-term stability achieved using autologous rib cartilage

• Minimizing the risk of recurrent inflammation

• Adaptation to natural aging

Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.

This was a complex revision rhinoplasty case of a patient who suffered from inflammation and functional issues over a long period of 12 years. Inflammation that began immediately after the first surgery persisted for 12 years, causing nasal bridge redness and structural instability, which combined to create aesthetic problems such as an upturned nose and a wide nose.

The most important priority was identifying and resolving the root cause of the 12-year-long inflammation. Following a precise examination, we confirmed that the materials and surgical techniques used in previous surgeries did not suit this type of anatomy and tissue, causing chronic inflammation.

To resolve this, all existing artificial materials were removed, and a full reconstruction was performed using autologous rib cartilage. Autologous tissue carries little risk of rejection or inflammation, supporting stable long-term results.

In correcting the upturned nose, the key was repositioning the excessively elevated nasal tip into a natural position. By building a new support framework with autologous rib cartilage, the height and angle of the nasal tip were precisely adjusted, and the wide nose was improved simultaneously to achieve overall balance.

From a functional standpoint, complex issues including a deviated septum, chronic rhinitis, and nasal stuffiness caused by nasal valve stenosis were comprehensively addressed. In particular, we identified that the 12-year rhinitis was not simple allergic rhinitis but stemmed from structural problems, allowing us to perform fundamental treatment.

As a result, all the issues the patient suffered with for 12 years were comprehensively resolved. The redness on the nasal bridge due to inflammation is expected to improve, the upturned nose was naturally corrected, and above all, the breathing difficulties that troubled the patient for so long were resolved, leaving the patient very satisfied.

This was a meaningful case demonstrating that even cases complicated by multiple surgeries and long-term inflammation can be resolved through accurate diagnosis and systematic reconstruction.

This was Dr. Peter C. Kang. Thank you.

Thank you.

#closedrhinoplasty #revisionrhinoplasty #autologousribcartilage #upturnednosecorrection #inflammationtreatment #rhinitissurgery #customrhinoplasty