Overview
People who have a nose bridge scoop suffer from a relatively common nasal and nasal-facial aesthetic disproportion, specifically a weak or “scooped out” appearance to the bridge of the nose. The causes for a scooped or weak nasal bridge can be developmental and hereditary with undergrowth of the bone and cartilage that support the nasal bridge, or traumatic following an injury to the bridge of the nose during development, or from over resection of the bridge structures, both bone and cartilage during a previous nose job or rhinoplasty surgery.
What's a Scooped Nose? (Saddle Nose)
A scooped nose, also known as “saddle nose,” pug nose, or boxer’s nose, occurs when the bridge of the nose, or dorsal area, above the nasal tip but below the eye line is scooped, appearing closer to the face than the nasal tip. A saddle-nose deformity is characterized by a loss of nasal dorsum height, resulting in a depression along the bridge of the nose and, in some cases, a protruding columella. The resulting appearance is an upturned nose, with a bridge that looks similar to the slope of a ski jump or a horse’s saddle.
What Causes a Scooped Nose or Saddle Nose?
Usually, a scooped or saddle nose deformity is the result of a surgery that takes place while the nose is still growing and developing. Another common cause of saddle nose is injury or nasal trauma later in life, after the nose has stopped developing, if the septum has become weakened. The septum can lose support if the mid-structure of the nose, between the two mucoperichondrial flaps, experiences tissue damage, which results in a scooped appearance.
In addition, the use of drugs that are inhaled, such as cocaine, may cause damage to the nasal septum and result in a saddle nose. Saddle nose can also result from chronic nasal inflammation, which can be caused by a condition called Wegener’s Granulomatosis or by polyangiitis. Other medical conditions, including Congenital syphilis, Hansen’s disease, Down Syndrome, and relapsing polychondritis, can also cause cases of saddle nose.
In many cases, severe saddle nose deformity caused by injury, drug use, or septum perforations can result in airway obstruction or nasal obstruction, since the nasal bridge has collapsed.
Surgical Solutions for Scooped Nose Treatment
Since the nose is the central focal point of the face, any abnormalities or lack of symmetry, including that caused by a scooped nose, can negatively affect the face’s overall proportions. This can result in self-consciousness and a lack of self-confidence. Fortunately, a scooped nose can be repaired with several surgical procedures.
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, can be used to surgically correct a scooped nose. In this case, cartilage or bone can be taken from another part of the body and added to the nose to fill out the scoop in the bridge — this is known as a conchal graft, or a costal cartilage graft in more severe instances of saddle nose. During this procedure, incisions will be made, and the skin of the nose will be lifted, cartilage will be added and sculpted, and the skin will be replaced and sutured shut.
Following rhinoplasty, be sure to follow your surgeon’s advice for recovery to minimize the risk of any complications. Since nasal reconstruction surgeries involve altering delicate bits of cartilage and nasal bones, it is important to rest and take good care of any surgical incisions following your procedure. For more information, Click here for 5 tips to Keep In Mind After Rhinoplasty
Septal Perforation
In some cases, a septal perforation may be required to fully repair a scooped nose. In this case, your surgeon will fill in the perforation with a soft tissue graft from within the nose or another part of the body or, if the perforation is significant, may use a shallow piece of silicone plastic to cover both sides of the opening.
Scooped Nose (Saddle Nose) Before and After Images
Check out our before and after section here!
How Much Does It Cost to Fix a Scooped Nose?
At SpaMedica, rhinoplasty begins at $9,999.
Scooped Nose Solutions at SpaMedica
At SpaMedica, Dr. Bell has established one of the most reputable cosmetic surgery clinics in the country. He is well-versed in all types of facial plastic surgery, including delicate rhinoplasty procedures, and is known as one of the country’s most skilled plastic surgeons. Contact the clinic to book your scooped nose correction consultation today.
