Figure 15-1. Dorsal hump deformity and its correction.

INDICATIONS

Patients with a “hump” or over-projecting dorsum are candidates for dorsal reduction. This may be performed as an isolated procedure or in conjunction with other maneuvers to reshape the nose.

It is important to assess the position of the radix pre-operatively. A nose with an apparent “dorsal hump” that is actually due to a low radix may be better managed with dorsal augmentation between the hump and the radix to raise the radix to a more ideal position. The uneducated observer will miss the low position of the radix and reduce the dorsal lump in an attempt to better define the nasal tip. Dorsal reduction in this setting would severely compromise nasal aesthetics and be contraindicated.

MARKINGS

Some surgeons choose to mark the planned amount of reduction on the skin over the dorsum and refer to it as they incrementally reduce the bones and cartilages. The amount of reduction is based on the preoperative examination and 1:1 photographs. For patients undergoing an open approach, the incision across the columella may be marked preoperatively.

APPROACH

The dorsum may be approached via an open or closed technique depending on the surgeon’s preference. However, isolated reduction of the dorsum will likely not require an open approach. With a closed approach, the dorsum may be exposed via an intercartilaginous incision. If an open approach is chosen, the columellar incision is made and carried around each nostril into bilateral infracartilaginous incisions inside the alar rim.

Once above the medial crura of the lower lateral cartilages, the tissues in the midline above the dorsal septum and nasal bones are dissected with scissors. It is important to establish a dissection plane just above the periosteum and perichondrium as the dissection proceeds. This helps to keep a dry field, maximizes soft issue over the dorsum to hide small irregularities, and minimizes tissue between the dissection and the dorsum. Inferiorly, the dorsal septum is identified and is mobile below its attachments to the upper lateral cartilage.

A small amount of lateral dissection is important to feather or contour the dorsum and prevent a flattened appearance. However, too aggressive lateral dissection should be avoided if nasal bone osteotomies are to be performed. Some soft tissue attachment should be left on the bones to hold them in place following infracture. A freely dissected nasal bone risks malposition after fracture. If dorsal resection is excessive, placement of spreader grafts (either free or folded from the medial edges of the upper lateral cartilages) should be considered.

Reduction of the dorsum is performed by separating it into its component parts, especially at the cartilaginous level where the upper lateral cartilages rest on the dorsal septum. Reduction of the bone is usually performed independent of the cartilage and may either precede or follow it.

Figure 15-2. Planned reduction of the bony dorsum.

Figure 15-3. Reduction of the bony dorsum with a rasp. Note that the cartilaginous dorsum has already been reduced.

Figure 15-4. Reduction of the bony dorsum with an osteotome.

As the dorsum is incrementally resected, the skin should be frequently re-draped to confirm the adequacy of the reduction. A single suture may be used to temporarily close the columellar incision to accurately redrape the soft tissue envelope. A moistened finger is an excellent means of detecting subtle irregularities that may not be seen in the face of edema. Intraoperatively, the tip should project above the height of the dorsum to give a subtle supratip break. In thicker-skinned patients, this distance should be slightly greater. Once reduced, the dorsum should be inspected and palpated to identify the presence of an open roof. If present, osteotomy of the nasal bones must be performed to close the roof and re-create the pyramidal shape, which is addressed below.