Does Removing The Anterior Nasal Spine Cause The Tip Of The Nose To Droop?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I was looking through your cases and saw some where the ANS was reduced. Does this cause the nose to “droop”, either immediately or long-term, due to losing bony support? If it doesn’t, can you explain why not?

A: Your question is not as simple as mere anterior nasal spine (ANS) reduction. That specific procedure is always done as part of an overall rhinoplasty so the effects on the nasal tip are also influenced by what else is being done. Otherwise, the tip is primarily supported by the septum (tentpole effect) and the suspension of the lower alar cartilages. The influence of the removal of a small spicule of bone (maxillary spine), in and out of itself, is not that signficant if at all on the nasal tip if done in isolation.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana