Rhinoplasty

The ideal contour of the nasal bridge, when viewed from the side, is either straight (particularly in men) or straight with a slight upturn at the tip (particularly in women). If the area just above the tip (the supra tip region) projects slightly more than the tip, then the pollybeak deformity or supratip deformity occurs and the nose does not appear attractive in profile. This terminology is frequently used when referring to a nose that has already undergone a rhinoplasty and the supratip area remains too high, resulting in a convexity to the bridge and/or the appearance of a plunging tip. See below and find out how Rhinoplasty corrects a supratip nose deformity. 

What is a supratip nose deformity?

As mentioned above, this type of malformation of the nose can happen either congenitally or as a result of a previous nose job.

In those patients who have undergone rhinoplasty, the supratip deformity results from either the nasal bridge not being reduced enough or from the inadequate projection of the nasal tip, or both.

The pollybeak or supratip nose is one of the most common postoperative deformities that require a secondary rhinoplasty. 

How is the supratip deformity corrected?

There is no major difference between the surgical approach for a supratip deformed nose that is congenital in nature vs. one caused by previous nose surgery, except that revision or secondary rhinoplasty is usually more challenging due to the scar from the first operation. As with all medical procedures, it is heavily tailored to your anatomy and medical history. 

Both the closed approach and open approach are appropriate for this deformity but in the revision cases, the open approach is probably more common.

Your rhinoplasty surgeon will have to assess the structure of your nose and determine the steps that will need to be taken. These include: 

• determining if there is excess cartilaginous septum just above the tip the requires removal.

• identifying if there are any missing tissues or cartilage in the nasal tip that must be replaced or augmented.
• Making a decision regarding the adequacy of tip projection (how far the tip sticks out from the face)

What should you consider before getting a supratip rhinoplasty? 

• Talk to your plastic surgeon about what to expect during and after the surgery. A good doctor will be able to explain to you what is going to happen, the risks, and steps to be taken to correct your condition. Not all problems are equally easy to improve and an experienced surgeon will tell you how confident he/she is in your case.

• If the deformity is caused by a prior procedure, allow your nose to fully heal first before you decide to undergo rhinoplasty or revision surgery. It is recommended that you should not undergo any surgery for at least 12 months after your first nasal surgery. 

Get a rhinoplasty safely

Dr. Charles Thorne has been in the plastic surgery industry for more than thirty years and has written numerous books on rhinoplasty and plastic surgery. He has also successfully performed rhinoplasty to repair every possible nose malformation including pollybeak deformities. If you would like to consult an expert on what steps can be done to correct or repair your nasal malformation, schedule an appointment online with us now.