Previously I have talked about having a dorsal hump and how it can cause an unsightly appearance to your nose. When it comes to removing a dorsal hump there are several different methods which I use. Sometimes I use one of the following methods, other times I utilise all of the methods to ensure that I get the hump reduction just right. Different methods include:
- Osteotome hump reduction: This method involves using a sharp instrument to remove the hump. This is the best method when the hump is very large and involves a significant proportion of the dorsum of the nose i.e. more than half of the nose
- Rasping: This method involves using a rasp which is similar to a file. The rasp is used to gradually remove the hump. This method is best utilised when the hump reduction is in the order of approximately 1 – 2mm
- Powered rasp: This method involves using a specially designed instrument which is similar to a drill to remove the hump. This method is best utilised when there is a small amount of a hump which needs to be removed meticulously. This is a very accurate method of reducing the hump and involves meticulous removal of the hump millimetre by millimetre.
One of the most important considerations for removing the dorsal hump is to ensure that you don’t end up with contour irregularity after the hump has been removed. Contour irregularity occurs when there are some areas on the dorsum of the nose which are of variable height and you don’t have a smooth surface for the skin to settle back down on.
To avoid contour irregularity I will frequently utilise the osteotome initially and then utilise either the rasp or powered rasp to remove the little bumps. Removing the dorsal hump might seem like a simple procedure but it requires a meticulous approach with specific attention to the degree of hump removal as well as choosing the best instrument to achieve the desired result.