Tip Rhinoplasty

What Is Tip Rhinoplasty?

Tip rhinoplasty focuses on reshaping the nasal tip cartilages (lower lateral cartilages) to refine definition and balance the profile. It can be performed as a standalone procedure or combined with bridge adjustments in comprehensive rhinoplasty.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

You may be a candidate if your primary concern is the nasal tip and you have realistic goals about subtle, natural refinement.

• Bulbous or boxy tip seeking sharper definition
• Under- or over-projected tip needing nuanced adjustment
• Tip droop (ptosis) or rotation concerns, especially on smiling
• Asymmetry after trauma or prior surgery
• Thick-skin cases needing strong support for lasting definition

Techniques We Commonly Use

Your surgeon selects techniques based on anatomy, skin thickness, and desired change. Approaches may be open or closed.

• Suture techniques (transdomal, interdomal, dome-binding) to sculpt tip definition
• Cephalic trim or cartilage reshaping to narrow a bulbous tip (when indicated)
• Columellar strut or septal extension graft for projection/rotation control
• Lateral crural strut or onlay grafts to correct weakness or convexities
• Shield/cap grafts for finer tip highlight in appropriate cases
• Tongue-in-groove maneuvers to stabilize tip and address droop
• Cartilage sources: septal (primary), auricular/“ear” (secondary), rib (revision/major support)

Function-First Planning

Aesthetic changes are planned together with airway integrity for durable, comfortable breathing.

• Preservation of tip support mechanisms to avoid long-term collapse
• Valve support when needed (spreader/batten principles in combined cases)
• Conservative resection with structural reinforcement in thick-skin patients

Recovery & Aftercare

Most tip-only procedures have quicker recovery than full rhinoplasty, though swelling of the tip can persist longer.

• Return to desk work ~5–7 days (case-dependent)
• External splint often ~5–7 days; tapes used for edema control
• Bruising/swelling settle over 1–3 weeks; tip refinement continues for months
• Avoid strenuous activity ~3–4 weeks; protect nose from impact

Why Müller Medical Clinic?

Our ENT-led facial plastic team prioritizes stable, natural contour with careful functional preservation.

• German-led ENT & facial plastic expertise
• Modern suture/graft techniques for long-term support
• Tailored plans for thick-skin and revision cases
• Comprehensive aftercare and close follow-up