What is a Polly Break?

Polly beak deformity is one of the most common complications that can result from rhinoplasty surgery. The deformity gets its name because it bears resemblance to a parrot’s beak: the nose reaches its highest projection right above the nasal tip while the nasal tip curves downward.

Patients who are most likely to develop polly beak have:

• Thick skin

• Soft nasal cartilage

• Poor healing following rhinoplasty

Polly beak is less likely to occur during an open rhinoplasty because the surgeon has better access to and visibility of the nasal structure. However, even in the hands of the most experienced surgeons, this complication is a possibility with any technique.

Some causes of polly beak include the following:

• Excess scar formation in the supratip area

• Removal of bone and cartilage from a dorsal hump without sufficiently reducing the top of the septum

• The tip of the nose settling in more than predicted

While every case requires a customized approach, there are a few common techniques that are applied to this condition for correction. The surgeon may perform the following:

• Inject a steroid called triamcinolone into excess scar tissue

• Trim the septum and cartilage in the bridge

• Add or remove cartilage from the tip

• Add dorsal grafts to support the bridge and restore balance

Choosing a Revision Rhinoplasty Surgeon for Polly Beak Deformity

Because scar tissue forms and there are weakened structures and less cartilage to utilize after a primary rhinoplasty, the revision rhinoplasty procedure is always more complex than the primary. If your original surgeon is a rhinoplasty specialist and highly experienced in performing rhinoplasty revisions, they would be the best person to perform your revision surgery. However, if you wish to choose a new surgeon in the Columbus area, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Shah at the Columbus Institute of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Shah’s years of experience as a rhinoplasty specialist, coupled with his extensive background and education in the area, make him the top surgeon of choice. Be sure to view his before and after rhinoplasty photo gallery for an idea of the results you can expect with the procedure.

To schedule a consultation, please call (614) 322-2500, or fill out our online contact form for more information.