A low bridge with a bumpy dorsum — a case where autologous rib cartilage set height and line together
2024. 4. 19.
The surgical plan for a hump nose where the bridge is low but the dorsum is bumpy — why autologous rib cartilage was chosen when septal volume isn't enough, the relationship between a sunken nasolabial angle and a protruding-looking mouth, and adding depressor septi muscle correction for a nose that droops when smiling.
Key points
- There's a hump nose where the bridge is overall low yet the dorsum protrudes bumpily — a form where height and line must be read together.
- Septal volume isn't judged by nose size alone; in this case autologous rib cartilage was chosen by comparing actual harvestable volume against needed support.
- The nose looking much droopier in a smiling expression was also observed — depressor septi muscle correction was added.
Hearing "hump nose," it's easy to picture a high bridge first. But there are cases where the bridge is overall low while only the dorsum protrudes bumpily. This article organizes a case of what gets checked and how the plan was made in that form.
01
What was the state before surgery?
What was confirmed in the pre-op photos is as follows.
- A hump nose with an overall low bridge yet a bumpily protruding dorsum.
- The tip was especially drooped downward, making the nose look longer and adding a gloomy impression.
- The philtrum-line angle (nasolabial angle) was sunken, so the midface looked hollowed overall and the mouth appeared relatively protrusive.
In short, it wasn't just the dorsum — the nose's height, the tip's direction, and the angle between nose and lip were together forming the impression.
02
Why was autologous rib cartilage used?
Septal volume can't be concluded from a small, low nose's outward appearance alone. In this case, autologous rib cartilage was chosen by comparing the actually harvestable amount against the material needed to support the desired tip.
| Condition checked | So what was examined |
|---|---|
| Low, small nose | Whether septal volume was sufficient |
| Desired tip line | Material matching the needed degree of support |
By what criteria autologous rib cartilage gets reviewed can be seen in the autologous rib cartilage guide.
03
Why was depressor septi correction done together?
Because the nose was observed to look markedly droopier when a smiling expression was made. Since it's something a still photo alone can't reveal, movement during expression gets examined together.
04
What changed after surgery?
After surgery, changes could be observed in the protrusive-looking mouth feel, the hollowed-looking midface feel, and the hump nose's bumpy dorsal line.
Other before/after courses can be seen in the before & after photos.
05
Summary — height, line, and angle get read at once
A low hump nose doesn't resolve into one question of "shave the hump or raise the bridge." The dorsal contour, overall height, drooping tip, and nasolabial angle must be read together to distinguish where the impression comes from — and accordingly, which material is needed and whether muscle correction is required also differ.
If you want to confirm which combination your nose is, a 1:1 video consultation can view front & side plus movement by expression together.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions patients ask before a consultation.
Can a nose be a hump nose even with a low bridge?
Does a small nose require rib cartilage?
Is a protrusive-looking mouth also related to nose surgery?
Responses to treatment and recovery progress vary by individual. Outcomes and side effects vary from person to person. Bleeding, infection, swelling and asymmetry may occur. Please consult our medical team before making a decision.