Short and Bulbous Nose: Why ‘Autologous Rib Cartilage’ Was Chosen for a Primary Rhinoplasty | Bulbous/Short Nose Correction Case by Dr. Young-moon Yoo, VIBE Plastic Surgery Gangnam

Hello.

I am Dr. Young-moon Yoo, the Representative Director of VIBE Plastic Surgery located at Gangnam/Sinnonhyeon Station.

Since the nose is positioned at the center of the face, even small changes can significantly alter one’s impression.

Today, I would like to introduce a primary rhinoplasty case of a woman in her 20s who underwent autologous rib cartilage surgery to improve:

✔ A nose that appeared short

✔ A bulbous nose that looked spread out

✔ A nasal shape with a severely retracted columella

Pre-operative Concerns | Short, Spread-out Nose, and Retracted Columella

The patient visited our clinic with the following primary concerns:

The nose length appeared short.

The nasal tip was round and spread out, giving a stuffy impression.

In particular, the columella was significantly retracted, leading to a lack of three-dimensionality in the side profile.

From the front, the nose looked wide, and from the side, the lack of tip support resulted in an overall blurred facial impression.

Key Cause Identified via CT Scan | Retracted Septum

As a result of precisely checking the internal nasal structure through a pre-operative CT scan:

👉 The septal cartilage was very small and retracted.

👉 There was a lack of structural support to hold up the nasal tip.

In such cases, it is difficult to sufficiently secure:

✔ Nasal tip support

✔ Nasal length extension

✔ Prevention of relapse

using only simple implants, septal cartilage, or ear cartilage. Therefore, we decided to proceed with rhinoplasty using autologous rib cartilage for this case.

Surgical Plan | Simultaneous Correction of Short Nose + Bulbous Nose with Autologous Rib Cartilage

The key points of this surgery were as follows:

1️⃣ Strengthening the nasal tip support structure using autologous rib cartilage

Forming a sturdy support to replace the retracted septum.

Naturally extending the length of the nose that previously appeared short.

2️⃣ Correction of the spread-out nasal tip (Bulbous Nose)

Gathering the widely spread cartilage structure.

Improving the round and blunt nasal tip into a slim and refined line.

3️⃣ Completing a three-dimensional side profile through columella correction

Naturally raising the retracted columella.

Achieving a balanced ‘straight-semi-basal’ line from both the front and side.

Surgical Results | Natural Straight-Semi-Basal Line, a Sharp yet Subtle Impression

After the surgery:

The short-looking nose was naturally lengthened.

The spread-out nasal tip was refined to be slim.

Overall, a sophisticated and soft straight-semi-basal line was completed.

Most importantly, even though it was a primary rhinoplasty, we aimed for a change that did not look artificial.

Why Use Autologous Rib Cartilage even in Primary Rhinoplasty?

: Many people ask, ‘Isn’t autologous rib cartilage only used in revision rhinoplasty?’ However, that is not the case.

✔ Cases where autologous rib cartilage is needed even in primary rhinoplasty:

When the septum is small or retracted.

When correction for a short or upturned nose is required.

When nasal tip support is extremely important.

When bulbous nose correction and tip length extension are needed simultaneously.

✔ Advantages of Autologous Rib Cartilage:

Using one’s own tissue → Almost no rejection reaction.

Strong support → Reduced risk of tip drooping or relapse.

Flexible shape adjustment → Natural design is possible.

Stable results in the long term.

Particularly in nasal tip surgery, the result depends on 👉 ‘how sturdily the support structure is built.’

Autologous Rib Cartilage Rhinoplasty is recommended for:

Those concerned about a short or upturned nose.

Those worried about a stuffy impression due to a bulbous nasal tip.

Those who want definite and stable results even for their first rhinoplasty.

Those who want to minimize the possibility of revision surgery.

Closing | For primary rhinoplasty, start right with the structure

Rhinoplasty is not just about changing the shape; it is most important to accurately analyze each individual’s nasal structure and select the appropriate materials and methods.

In cases like this one, where there is an insufficient septal structure or a short/bulbous shape, autologous rib cartilage can be the best choice even for a primary surgery.

VIBE Plastic Surgery will continue to pursue safe surgeries that consider both function and structure, providing natural results that last over time.

Consultations and surgeries should be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon!

VIBE that comes from rich experience.

Dr. Young-moon Yoo, Representative Director of VIBE Plastic Surgery

VIBE Plastic Surgery complies with medical laws. These before-and-after photos were taken under the same conditions with the patient’s consent. Complications and side effects such as bleeding, inflammation, infection, and asymmetry may occur after surgery depending on the individual, and caution is required.