Bulbous Nose Transformed with Hump Reduction: Kowon Plastic Surgery Case Study & Before/After

Hello, I am Dr. Hyung-taek Kim, Director at Kowon Plastic Surgery.

A dorsal hump refers to a condition where the middle part of the nasal bridge protrudes more prominently than other areas, causing the bridge line to appear broken or angular in the middle rather than following a smooth, gentle curve.

From a profile view, this type of nose can create a somewhat harsh impression and, in some cases, can make the overall facial atmosphere feel rather rough or overly masculine.

When addressing a nasal hump, the surgical approach focuses on trimming the protruding section to streamline the flow of the nasal bridge. Therefore, depending on the nose's existing structure and height, hump correction is often possible without using any artificial implants.

Conversely, there are cases where the height needs to be supplemented to some extent after considering the current bridge height and overall facial proportions. Ultimately, rather than adhering to a single rigid method, it is crucial to establish a surgical plan tailored to each individual's unique nasal anatomy.

Not all dorsal humps are corrected in the same manner. It is essential to examine the nose's current height, shape, and overall facial harmony to design an individualized surgical plan.

In this particular case, the patient presented not only with a prominent dorsal hump but also with a bulbous nasal tip that was thick and heavily developed. Overall, the nose conveyed a sense of substantial volume and visual heaviness.

In this type of anatomical structure, simply trimming the protruding hump or solely reducing the size of the tip may not yield a sufficient overall aesthetic improvement. Rather than treating the nasal bridge and the nasal tip as separate entities, it is necessary to adjust them together as one continuous, harmonious line.

First, the protruding hump was reduced to create a smooth, refined bridge line. For the nasal tip, tip cartilage repositioning, cartilage suturing (binding), and soft tissue removal were performed concurrently to slim down what had been a wide and heavy appearance.

Additionally, a septal extension/columellar strut was placed between the tip cartilages to ensure that the newly refined shape remains stable and supported over time.

We also carefully balanced the overall transition so that the line continuing from the nasal bridge down to the tip blends naturally.

By approaching hump reduction while focusing on this seamless connectivity throughout the entire nose—rather than correcting each section independently—the previously irregular dorsal line was refined into a sleek contour, and the excessive volume of the thick nasal tip was reduced as well.

In this surgery, rather than treating the dorsal hump and the bulbous tip as isolated features, we adjusted the entire line from the bridge to the tip as a unified, fluid contour.

As a result, instead of the bridge and the tip competing for visual attention, the overall appearance of the nose transformed into a much lighter, more organized, and refined contour. This demonstrates why, when planning rhinoplasty, I always prioritize total facial balance rather than focusing merely on isolated components.

[Another Related Case]

This is a case involving a female patient with a long, prominent nose characterized by a wide bridge and a noticeable dorsal hump.

Her nasal tip drooped downward, giving the nose an overall heavy and large appearance, and the prominent dorsal hump stood out distinctly from the profile view.

Since her natural nasal bridge was already sufficiently high, we performed osteotomy to narrow the wide dorsal width and adjust the height, refining the bridge into a smooth contour.

At the same time, we evaluated internal deviated and hypertrophied tissues, performing functional rhinitis surgery to address both aesthetic refinement and functional breathing improvements simultaneously.

Following surgery, the protruding and wide appearance of the nasal bridge was streamlined, and the overall excessive volume of the nose was effectively reduced.

With a natural contour flowing down to the nasal tip, her impression shifted toward a much softer and more feminine aesthetic, while she also reported significant improvement in nasal breathing comfort.

Furthermore, in line with her personal preference, a subtle hint of the natural hump contour was preserved to prevent an artificial, overly operated look while retaining her unique individuality. Reviewing this Kowon Plastic Surgery case can help provide insight into surgical directions for similar nasal shapes.

[Summary]

This case involved a large dorsal hump, a wide nasal bridge, and a drooping nasal tip, resulting in a nose that felt heavy and disproportionately large.

Through nasal osteotomy, the height and width of the high nasal bridge were adjusted, creating a line that flows smoothly down to the tip to soften the patient's overall facial impression. In addition, internal deviated and hypertrophied tissues were addressed, resolving both aesthetic concerns and functional airway issues in a single procedure.

Rhinoplasty should not merely focus on altering shape; it is vital to assess the internal anatomy, airway function, and overall facial harmony to achieve the surgical outcome best suited to you.

At Kowon Plastic Surgery, we thoroughly examine each individual's distinct nasal shape and internal anatomy to design comprehensive surgical plans that ensure both natural aesthetic results and optimal functional performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are implants always necessary for dorsal hump correction?

No. In many cases, correction is possible without an implant. Depending on your natural nasal height and structure, shaving down the protruding bone and cartilage alone may suffice. However, if your overall facial balance requires supplementary bridge height, an implant may be considered.

Can a dorsal hump and a bulbous tip be corrected together?

Yes, they can be corrected simultaneously. The dorsal protrusion is smoothed out while tip cartilage repositioning, tip suturing, and soft tissue debulking are performed. Inserting a cartilage strut ensures a slimmer, well-supported, and stable nasal tip.

How is a wide and high hump nose surgically managed?

Osteotomy is used to narrow the bridge width and refine the height. When the bridge is inherently high, osteotomy allows the surgeon to narrow the excessively wide, protruding bones, creating a sleeker and more balanced dorsal line.

Can functional procedures like rhinitis surgery be combined with hump correction?

Yes, they can be performed simultaneously. By diagnosing deviated or hypertrophied structures inside the nasal cavity, functional rhinitis surgery can be conducted alongside cosmetic rhinoplasty, simultaneously refining aesthetics and restoring clear, comfortable breathing.