Chinese Rhinoplasty

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in Chinese rhinoplasty surgery. I would like to schedule a consultation regarding the removal of a dorsal hump on my nose. I am Chinese and feel as though the bump does not look normal. I have attached side profile pictures for your assessment and recommendations.

A: Thank you for sending your pictures. In the Asian nose a dorsal hump often occurs because the radix (the height of the nose between the eyes) is low. Thus a pure hump reduction may make the nose look flatter and wider particularly in the frontal view. Conversely augmentation of the radix with less of a hump reduction keeps the nasal bridge higher and may create a better look. I have attached some imaging which shows the difference between these two different approaches to managing the nasal hump in the Asian or Chinese rhinoplasty patient. Consideration must be given to how the nose will look in the front view as well when taking down a nasal hump

Most Asian rhinoplasty surgeries are more about augmentation than they are about reduction of nasal heights. Bringing out the midface in general is often an overall facial goal.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana