How Does Saddle Nose Surgery Differ from Rhinoplasty?

The most obvious sign of a saddle-nose deformity is a decrease in the nose’s dorsal height. The condition occurs when the nose is too short or the cartilage and bone that hold it together are damaged. Such anatomic abnormalities can negatively impact the nose’s functional and aesthetic qualities. “Pug nose” and “boxer’s nose” are other names for dorsal nasal depression. Both of these names refer to different degrees of saddle-nose deformity.

Saddle nose surgery can correct anatomic abnormalities of the nose and give it the structural support it needs to function correctly. While saddle nose surgery is a form of rhinoplasty, it is not the same as a standard “nose job.” The procedure is more complex, requiring a cartilage graft and extensive reshaping. Such an intensive operation requires a highly experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Maurice Khosh, who specializes in this complex form of nose reconstruction.

Why is Saddle Nose Surgery Not Your Typical “Nose Job?”

Most rhinoplasty operations aim to make the nose smaller, eliminate the bump on the bridge or narrow the nostrils. The nose needs merely to be shaved or reshaped into a different profile. On the other hand, a saddle nose needs to be wholly reshaped because certain structural elements are missing or have collapsed. In addition, the upper and lower lateral cartilages of the nose and the septum are often damaged.

What is a Cartilage Graft?

A cartilage graft adds structure and tissue to the nose using cartilage from another body part. For instance, we often use cartilage from the septum, the ear or (very rarely) the rib. Because cartilage transplants use your tissue, they are safe and there is no risk of the transferred tissue being rejected.

Cartilage grafts are used to reinforce the framework of the nose. They can help to support the tip, broaden the nasal passageways, extend the nose and improve breathing problems. They offer numerous potential benefits and are a safe and effective rhinoplasty solution when performed by a skilled surgeon.

Do You Need Saddle Nose Surgery?

Contact Dr. Khosh’s New York office if you have a significant saddle nose deformity and want to set up a consultation. He finds satisfaction in the challenge of correcting saddle nose malformations, and his patients have benefited from the remarkable outcomes he has produced. The improvement in quality of life for those with a saddle nose deformity makes it worth the additional difficulty of doing a saddle nose rhinoplasty.