Case Study – Revision Surgery for an Upturned Nose

KOKO Plastic Surgery,
the first cosmetic surgery clinic specializing in nasal
procedures in Apgujeong, has opened its doors.
With 23 years of surgical experience and expertise,
I am Dr. Jo Bae-jung from KOKO Plastic Surgery.

Among those struggling with an upturned nose, cases involving a collapsed columella (the column beneath the nose) require particularly complex revision surgery.

In such cases, we perform reconstruction using rib cartilage harvested from the chest.

1.The damaged columella is left untouched.
2.Rib cartilage is harvested.
3.A new septal structure is crafted and inserted.

Through this method, we were able to effectively project the nasal tip and establish strong structural support.
This approach has proven highly effective in resolving upturned noses caused by columellar collapse.

A common belief in rhinoplasty is
“Rib cartilage can’t be used in older patients because it becomes calcified with age.”
But is that really true?

👃 Why rib cartilage can still be used in older patients

Even if partial calcification has occurred, the cortical layer of the cartilage typically remains uncalcified.
In many cases, even when deep layers show some calcification, the cartilage can still be used effectively in rhinoplasty.

At KOKO Plastic Surgery, we’ve successfully performed surgeries using rib cartilage in patients in their 60s and even 70s.

We do not exclude rib cartilage as an option solely due to age.

Instead, we make the optimal choice based on each patient’s unique condition.

🌻 Look forward to the next article from KOKO Plastic Surgery! 🌻

If you have any thoughts or questions on this topic, we’d love to hear from you!

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This article is general information. Whether surgery suits you, the method, recovery and risks all vary from person to person. Please make any decision after an examination by a doctor.