Male revision rhinoplasty — a case improving a contracture-lifted nose with autologous tissue
2025. 6. 4.
A male revision case where contracture about 5 years post-surgery shortened and upturned the nose. Why contracture is hard to predict or prevent, material options — autologous tissue, donor rib cartilage, autologous rib cartilage — and sleep-anesthesia harvest plus scarring — organized.
Key points
- A male revision case where contracture symptoms appeared about 5 years post-surgery — the nose pulled upward looking short, with an upturned tip.
- Silicone is a foreign body so side effects vary by individual, and contracture is hard to predict or prevent — so in revision, improving with autologous tissue instead of excessive implants was recommended.
- After releasing tip tissue as much as possible to extend length and correcting the bend, stable change was confirmed down to nostril symmetry and the nasolabial angle.
If time passes after nose surgery and the nose pulls upward looking short, you suspect contracture and start looking into revision. Through a male case who underwent revision after contracture from silicone side effects, this article organizes why contracture occurs and how materials get judged in revision.
01
In what state did they visit?
The patient in this case had nose surgery using septal cartilage about 5 years ago. Contracture symptoms then appeared, and they visited after worrying.
From contracture the nose was pulled well upward, looking short in length, taking an upturned-tip form. They inquired about revision over these symptoms, and after consultation decided to proceed with revision. On examination, deviated septum and rhinitis coexisted.
02
Why is contracture hard to prevent?
Contracture symptoms vary widely. Such side effects can be seen as arising from silicone side effects rather than the surgery itself — since silicone is a foreign body, whether side effects appear varies by individual.
For that reason, predicting contracture symptoms in advance is very hard, and prevention is hard too. So in revision the following principles get kept.
- Excessive implants aren't recommended — forcing them in can trigger tissue rejection, from which side effects may appear.
- If side effects already appeared, autologous tissue gets considered first — the most basic surgical method for resolving side effects caused by artificial implants.
General criteria for judging whether to revise can be seen in the revision guide.
03
What options exist for revision materials?
In this case, since silicone side effects appeared, improvement using autologous tissue was recommended. Including other options, they're organized as follows.
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Autologous tissue | The most basic method for resolving side effects caused by artificial implants |
| Donor rib cartilage | Rib cartilage donated by another person, specially processed |
| Autologous rib cartilage | Harvesting one's own rib cartilage to use instead of silicone |
Many know autologous rib cartilage harvest as needing general anesthesia, but it can proceed under sleep anesthesia. Harvest time is on the short side; a scar around 2cm can result, at a location naturally hidden by position. Methods using autologous rib cartilage can be seen in more detail in the autologous rib cartilage rhinoplasty guide.
04
What changed after surgery?
In surgery, tip tissue was released as much as possible to extend length, and the bent nose was corrected.
After revision the bent nose was straightened, and nostril shape was confirmed symmetric. In 45-degree photos, the nasolabial angle and lip shape changed stably — making the once protruding-looking mouth appear recessed — and the improved tip stopped nostril exposure. Actual case photos can be seen in the before & after photos.
05
Summary — material judgment is half of contracture revision
Since contracture is a side effect hard to predict or prevent, once symptoms appear, how to replace the implant that caused it must be judged before repeating the same method. As in this case, extending length and correcting the bend with autologous tissue can bring stable change to nostril symmetry and the nasolabial angle alongside nose shape. But material choice differs by individual state — a consultation checking your state directly comes first.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions patients ask before a consultation.
Can't contracture be prevented in advance?
Does autologous rib cartilage harvest require general anesthesia?
Is contracture revision only about fixing nose shape?
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.