Why dorsal humps and drooping tips appear together, and how hump reduction and osteotomy are performed

Hello, I am Dr. Peter C. Kang.

Today, I would like to share the case of a patient who visited our clinic concerned about a dorsal hump and a drooping nasal tip. Having had no prior surgical experience, the patient decided to undergo rhinoplasty for the first time, hoping for a natural yet distinctly defined transformation.

When viewed from the profile, the dorsal hump was prominent and the nasal tip drooped downward, giving the nose an elongated appearance. From the front, the tip appeared bulbous and blunt rather than defined, and the overall unrefined nasal line had been a long-standing concern.

Although there was no functional discomfort, the dorsal hump and drooping tip left the patient lacking confidence in profile views.

• "Please smoothly refine the protruding dorsal hump."

• "Please lift and project the nasal tip."

• "I want a natural yet distinctly refined look."

Rather than an excessively high or artificial appearance, the patient wanted a well-defined nasal line that suited their facial features naturally.

1. Nasal tip plasty using autologous rib cartilage

• Securing nasal tip support using autologous tissue

• Elevating the drooping tip to improve it into a refined shape

2. Hump reduction

• Gently smoothing the convex protrusion on the nasal dorsum to create a sleek bridge line

• Finely adjusting the dorsum to maintain a natural contour

3. Lateral osteotomy

• Precisely performing osteotomy on the nasal bones to adjust the bridge width

• Correcting the open roof deformity that occurs after hump resection

• Achieving a sleek, defined bridge line when viewed from the front

4. Correction of nasolabial angle

• Appropriately adjusting the angle between the nose and upper lip

• Improving the impression of a drooping nasal tip

• Creating a more refined profile silhouette

Front view changes:

• The blunt nasal tip became projected and defined

• The nasal bridge line became clearer, creating a sophisticated impression

Profile view changes:

• The dorsal hump was resolved, forming a smooth bridge line

• The drooping tip was naturally lifted, presenting a distinct, elegant look

• The nasolabial angle was improved, creating a brighter profile impression

Nostril view changes:

• As the tip was elevated, nostril show was appropriately adjusted

• An overall balanced nasal shape was achieved

Dorsal hump correction cannot be completed simply by shaving down the protruding area. Because a gap opens between the nasal bones after removing a hump, osteotomy is necessary to bring the bridge width together properly.

In cases like this where a dorsal hump is accompanied by a drooping tip, it is particularly important to establish a solid support framework for the tip before balancing the overall line. Using autologous rib cartilage provides strong structural support with body-friendly tissue, helping to maintain a stable shape over time.

In this type of case, performing hump reduction, osteotomy, tip plasty, and nasolabial angle correction together allowed us to achieve a natural yet distinct nasal contour. I hope this case serves as a helpful reference for those with similar concerns.

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

#dorsalhumpcorrection #dorsalhumprhinoplasty #droopingtipcorrection #closedrhinoplasty #autologousribcartilagerhinoplasty #osteotomy #nasolabialanglecorrection