2026-05-24
3rd Bulbous Nose Revision Surgery Using Autologous Rib Cartilage :)
A case study of a 30s female patient undergoing her 3rd bulbous nose revision. Using autologous rib cartilage, we achieved a refined tip despite thick skin and scar tissue.
* Basic Information
- # Female in her 30s
- # Medical History: 2 previous rhinoplasties (bulbous nose correction), Alar reduction (+)
- # Current Concerns: ‘I have had two surgeries, but I am still bothered by my bulbous nose.’
* Consultation
- # The patient visited us because her nose remained bulbous despite two previous surgeries.
- # The nasal tip appeared even blunter due to the accumulation of scar tissue following the previous procedures.
- # Since the septal and ear cartilage had already been used, I determined that a stronger material of sufficient size was needed to overcome the thick skin. Therefore, a revision surgery using ‘autologous rib cartilage’ was planned.
* Surgical Plan
- # Nasal tip plasty (Bulbous nose & Nasolabial angle correction)
- # Nasal bridge surgery (Implant replacement)
* Post-operative Findings
- # Due to severe scar tissue, it was thoroughly removed, and the area was irrigated with a scar tissue inhibitor.
- # The nasal septum was reconstructed. Autologous rib cartilage from the right 7th rib was harvested to create a sturdy pillar, and cartilage was grafted onto it to raise the nasal tip. Since the nose was not low to begin with, increasing the height was challenging, but the strong support allowed us to achieve a sharp and sophisticated tip.
- # Although there were limits to the improvement due to the patient’s naturally thick skin, she was very satisfied with the noticeable change compared to her pre-operative state.
- # Autologous rib cartilage is typically harvested from the 6th to 8th ribs. There is minor pain for about 2–3 days after harvesting, but recovery is sufficient to return to daily life after about a week.
- # When performing revision surgery, it is crucial to establish a perfect plan and prepare thoroughly. One must consider various variables in advance to respond flexibly to unexpected situations during surgery!
Consultations and surgeries should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon!
The VIBE that comes from extensive experience.
Vibe Plastic Surgery Clinic, Chief Surgeon Dr. Yoo Young-moon
Vibe Plastic Surgery complies with all medical laws. These before-and-after photos were taken under the same conditions with the patient’s consent. Complications and side effects such as bleeding, inflammation, infection, and asymmetry may occur depending on the individual, so caution is advised.