Preservation Rhinoplasty in New York: A New Solution To an Old Problem

How is preservation rhinoplasty different from traditional rhinoplasty?

Traditional rhinoplasty directly removes the cartilage and bone components of the bump. The procedure reduces nose size by shaving down the bump, but it can also leave an “open roof deformity," much like taking the roof off of a house. When this occurs, the surgeon must address the issue using techniques like cartilage grafting.

With preservation rhinoplasty, the surgeon alters the height of the nasal bridge beneath the overlying bone and cartilage, using tissue resections underneath the bump and letting the bump stretch out and fall backward to create a straight line. Though changing the shape of the bridge, preservation rhinoplasty maintains the natural components of the nasal dorsum so it does not need to be rebuilt. 

Preservation rhinoplasty offers an optional rhinoplasty technique to preserve the existing bone-cartilage junction along the dorsum that is sacrificed when doing a hump resection. This approach remodels the existing nasal anatomy, targeting precise, small sections of the underlying bone and cartilage and rearranging them like a jigsaw puzzle. By remodeling the base of the nose, we can let the bump fall back without significantly altering the appearance of the nasal bridge.  

In the hands of an experienced, board-certified facial plastic surgeon, both preservation and structural rhinoplasty techniques can produce excellent results. However, not every surgeon offers the preservation option at this time, which could limit a patient's options depending on the surgeon they choose.

What can preservation rhinoplasty fix?

In the right hands, preservation rhinoplasty can help:

• Straighten a crooked nose
• Correct breathing issues
• Deproject a disproportionately large nose
• Smooth bumps on the nasal bridge
• Reshape the nasal bridge

Benefits of Preservation Rhinoplasty

Preservation rhinoplasty provides the following advantages:

• Improves facial harmony and balance while maintaining your unique look
• Ensures a long-term positive outcome
• Maintains or improves breathing function
• Provides another technique for patients interested in addressing a dorsal hump
• Creates a very natural result without the need for reconstructing the bridge of the nose

While the techniques for preservation rhinoplasty are still improving, its philosophy remains –to reshape and preserve existing structures of the nose –making preservation rhinoplasty a viable option for patients wishing to reduce a dorsal hump without the need for a graft or reshaping of the nasal tip. 

Is preservation rhinoplasty the right choice for me?

The type of rhinoplasty you choose depends on your individual goals and expectations, including your reasons for pursuing the surgery. The best way to determine if preservation rhinoplasty is right for you is to consult with a qualified surgeon.

Dr. Miller is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes exclusively in facial plastic surgery. With more than 20 years of experience performing rhinoplasty and other facial rejuvenation procedures, he is an expert in the field, offering in-depth knowledge and the most advanced techniques to his patients.

To learn more, contact Dr. Miller to schedule a consultation.