Hump Excision, Nasal Bone Osteotomy with Narrowing

Treatment details: Hump Excision, Nasal Bone Osteotomy with Narrowing

A dorsal hump is a problem of the nasal profile, and reducing it alone often widens the bridge because the flat surface left behind is broader than the original ridge. That is why the nasal bones were narrowed in the same operation rather than left to settle on their own. The three month photograph is taken once the bones have united and the swelling over the bridge has resolved, which is when the profile can honestly be judged. Bruising around the eyes is expected in the first two weeks after osteotomy and clears well before this point.

After the dorsal hump is reduced, swelling and bruising across the nose and eyelids are heaviest for a week and then subside, while fine swelling of the bridge persists for months. The dorsum may feel firm or slightly irregular as bone and cartilage heal, and a palpable edge or residual bump sometimes calls for refinement. Numbness of the tip is common and improves over several months. Bleeding, infection, and asymmetry are uncommon.

Narrowing the nasal bones produces marked bruising around both eyes for one to two weeks and a blocked feeling inside the nose while the lining settles. The bones need protection for about a month, and asymmetry, a step in the bony wall, or altered airflow may occur and can require revision. The shape continues to refine for six to twelve months. Vascular injury to the nasal skin and changes in vision are extremely rare.