26 Oct Removing a hump on the nose: What you need to know about the contouring of the back of the nose

Even a slight bulge on the bridge of the nose makes the nose appear larger and often gives the profile a more severe look than what the rest of the face corresponds to. Many people therefore long to have the bridge of the nose removed. At the same time, they hesitate because they fear that the nose might then appear artificial and no longer fit them. A successful result is achieved precisely when no one notices the operation. This is not only due to the bridge of the nose itself, but also to the tip of the nose. We explain why this is the case and why a bridge can only be permanently removed surgically.

What is a horn-shaped nose?

A hump nose occurs when the nasal ridge bulges outward visibly in profile. Most often, the hump sits at the point where the bony upper third of the nose transitions into its cartilaginous middle part.

How does a hump form on the nose?

Most often, the horn of the nose is inherited and becomes noticeable once the face grows during puberty.

It is more rare for the deformity to develop after an accident. If a broken nose heals in a displaced position or the body stores additional bone tissue during healing, a hump may form that was not there before. Often it is then irregularly shaped, and the nose deviates to the side as well.

You can also read more about it here:
Broken nose: Is surgery necessary for a broken nose?
Crooked nose: what to do?

What forms of earlobe deafness are there?

There is no uniform system of severity levels. However, for planning the operation, we distinguish between where the bump is located, what tissue it is made of, and whether the nose exhibits any other abnormalities. This determines which surgical procedures are necessary.

The forms of the hook nose include:

Cartilage hump

It is located in the middle third of the nose and usually appears rather discreetly. Because the nasal bones are not affected, it is often possible to correct the shape without having to remove the bone.

Knobbly, knobbly lumps

This most common form sits right at the transition from the bony to cartilaginous part of the nasal back. Both tissues are involved. In larger cases, the narrowing of the lateral walls is usually included.

Höcker with hanging lace

If the tip of the nose also slopes downward, we are talking about a hooked nose. Then it is not enough to straighten the back; the tip also needs new support.

Pseudohöcker

Sometimes the nasal bridge is actually straight, but appears curved because the tip of the nose is very deep between the eyes. If we simply removed this, the nose would then appear flat. Instead, we build up the tip of the nose with some cartilage, often combined with a small correction at the back.

Can a hump on the nose be removed without surgery?

A permanently disappeared nasal hump can only be removed by surgery because the tissue cannot be reshaped from the outside. Massages, nose tapes, facial exercises, or shape clips therefore have no lasting effect on the shape of the nose.

Even with a laser, a hump cannot be removed. Laser procedures affect the skin and mucous membrane, for example when treating: Treatment of enlarged nasal bones. They do not alter bone substance.

A hyaluronic acid injection can conceal a slight elevation but cannot permanently eliminate it. The gel fills the areas above and below the bump, making the nasal ridge appear more straight in profile. As the body gradually loses hyaluronic acid, the results last only a few months.

For some affected individuals, treatment is nevertheless a useful intermediate step. They can see in the mirror and on photos how their face looks with a reshaped nose before deciding on surgery. They should be aware, however, that the additional volume makes the nose appear slightly larger overall. An operation, on the other hand, makes it appear smaller.

Removing nasal hump: How does the hump nose operation proceed?

Medically speaking, hump reduction is part of rhinoplasty, the surgical form correction of the nose. In our HNO Praxisklinik Goethe10 in Frankfurt is the Rhinoplasty a focus area. Dr Thomas Fischer and Dr Albrecht Linke bring years of experience with aesthetic and functional corrections.

Depending on the initial situation, the lifting of the nasal tip involves up to four steps. Whether all of them are necessary depends on how pronounced the hump is and whether the tip of the nose also needs to be reshaped.

Defining the operation technique

In order to remove the nasal hump, we first need to reach the back of the nose. There are two ways to do this: with the closed technique, all incisions are located inside the nose, so no visible scar is created. This is especially suitable when the back needs to be straightened primarily. With the open technique, a fine incision is added across the nasal bridge. This allows the skin to be lifted and the cartilage of the tip to be exposed. This makes precise corrections to the tip of the nose easier. However, the swelling there can persist for a little longer. The small scar on the bridge usually fades well.

Scrap Höcker

In several small steps, we are reducing the size of the incision. We cut the bony portion with fine instruments, and we remove the bony material with a rasp. In larger cuts, a narrow chisel may also be used. In between, we constantly carefully check that the nasal ridge is straight and that the planned height has been reached.

Side walls narrow down

After removal, the upper part of the nasal ridge is missing. Instead of a narrow ridge, a flat, open area remains, similar to a roof whose crown has been removed. Therefore, we remove the two nasal bones laterally at the point where they join the cheek in larger bony protrusions. We then pull them together towards the center until the gap closes. This step is called osteotomy. It ensures that the nose does not appear wide or angular after correction.

Adjust the tip

If the tip of the nose lacks sufficient support, it often becomes more noticeable after the back is reshaped. If necessary, we can stabilize it with a small cartilage support. With fine sutures on the wings, we gently lift the tip up, allowing it to form a harmonious line with the back again.

Finally, we close the incisions with fine threads. A tamponade and soft silicone strips inside the nose and on the outside of the nose bridge help maintain the new shape during the first few days. This protects the newly corrected nasal structure while the bones and cartilage begin to heal in their new position.

Why isn't it enough to just remove the hump?

A naturally effective result after rhinoplasty depends not only on a straight nasal bridge, but also on the interplay between the height of the back, the angle of the tip and the proportions of the forehead and chin. If too much is removed, the back will be flattened. The nose will then appear „operated on“ – and the goal is to achieve a result that looks completely natural.

Nasal breathing can also change due to a deviated septum. In the middle section, the narrowest part of the respiratory tract is the inner nasal valve. If this area loses its support during correction, it can become narrower. Air flows through the nose less well. As experienced ENT doctors, we therefore plan appearance and function together.

If you experience difficulty breathing before the procedure because the nasal septum is crooked, this can also be corrected during the same operation.

More information about so-called septorhinoplasty can be found here:
Nasal septum surgery in Frankfurt.

Removing a hump on the nose: How long does the healing process take?

After a healing process, swelling and bruising usually subside within two to three weeks, so that hardly anyone can see the scar anymore. However, it takes about a year for the tissue to fully heal. During this time, the skin needs to fully recover.

Basically, the time after rhinoplasty goes as follows:

One to two days after the operation

We remove the tamponade from the nose.

After three to four days

Now we are also removing the silicone strips from the inside of the nose. Thanks to their smooth coating, they do not stick to the mucous membrane, so removing them hardly causes any pain.

After about twelve days

Now we can remove the outer rail from the back of the nose.

After three weeks

From now on, your body can tolerate more exertion, so you can start doing endurance sports like jogging or cycling. Ball and combat sports, where the nose can take a hit, should only be resumed after another six weeks.

After about six months

The nose has largely settled. Only minor changes remain until the final result is reached.

These time estimates are guidelines. How quickly the nose fades away depends on factors such as the thickness of the skin, the extent of the correction, and the individual healing process. During the follow-up visits, we monitor the progress of your healing and adjust our recommendations as needed.

What risks does a deviated septum surgery involve?

Serious complications are rare with rhinoplasty, as with any surgical procedure, but they cannot be ruled out. Most involve the shape of the nose. Because bones, cartilage, and skin heal at different rates, small irregularities may form on the nasal ridge or a remnant of the hump may remain visible. If such changes persist after nine months, they can be corrected in a usually smaller follow-up procedure. Temporary numbness of the tip of the nose is also possible. Bleeding and infections occur rarely.

Nose hump removal in Frankfurt: Their experienced ENT doctors from the Praxisklinik Goethe10

Dr. med. Thomas Fischer and Dr. med. Albrecht Linke are specialists in otolaryngology with the additional qualification of plastic surgery. Both have acquired their operational skills at major Frankfurt clinics.

Dr. Fischer was the Chief Physician and acting head of the Clinic for Otolaryngology and Plastic Facial Surgery in Frankfurt-Höchst and hosted at the Stanford University and the Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills.

Dr. Linke completed his specialist training at the University Hospital Frankfurt and has made functional-plastic nose correction one of his main focuses today.

Before one of the two doctors removes your nasal hump, he or she examines your nose from the outside and inside during the consultation. He or she checks your breathing and discusses with you which result suits your facial features.

You can schedule your appointment Book online or by phone at 069 2992466-0 agree.

Do you have any questions on this topic or would you like to arrange a consultation?

Book an appointment now!

ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!