Preservation Rhinoplasty- Is It for Me?

A Short History

Preservation rhinoplasty is often talked about as a new technique, but the idea is actually over 100 years old. Early rhinoplasty surgeons described ways to lower the bridge of the nose without removing it.

For many decades afterward, most rhinoplasty surgeries involved removing the hump and rebuilding the bridge using cartilage grafts. In recent years, surgeons have returned to preservation techniques because they can maintain more of the nose’s natural structure.

In Canada, Dr Oakley Smith began performing Preservation Rhinoplasty in 2017, making him one of the early surgeons in the country to adopt and refine this method.

What It Means

In preservation rhinoplasty, the surgeon keeps the natural bridge of the nose but lowers it instead of cutting it off and reconstructing it. The goal is to reshape the nose while preserving its natural anatomy.

Advantages

For the right patient, preservation rhinoplasty can offer several benefits:

• A more natural-looking bridge

• Less cutting and rebuilding of the nose

• Sometimes less swelling and bruising

• Less minor irregularities of the bridge

Limitations

Preservation rhinoplasty isn’t the best choice for everyone.

• It works best in patients with moderate humps and relatively straight noses

• It may not be suitable for very crooked noses or complex revision surgery

The Bottom Line

Today, many rhinoplasty surgeons use both techniques. Preservation rhinoplasty is one option that can produce very natural results in selected patients. The most important goal is always the same: a nose that looks natural and fits the face.