Short nose rhinoplasty

The Pixie Nasal Deformity

The pixie deformity as it refers to the nose usually refers to a nose that is considered too small for the face. It’s turned up appearance is due to the shortness of the nose and can result in excessive intranasal “show”.

This problem can occur naturally or can be a result of nasal trauma as a child causing the nose not to grow as it normally would. Regardless of the cause, reshaping of the nose with lengthening and dorsum or bridge contouring is usually necessary.

This is known as an augmentation rhinoplasty and is more difficult than shaping a larger nose. Most experienced rhinoplasty surgeons believe that only autologous(tissue that comes from the patient-cartilage, fascia, bone, etc) material be used for this purpose.

An experienced plastic surgeon facile with augmentation rhinoplasty procedures is the best option. (Paul S. Howard, MD, Birmingham Plastic Surgeon)

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, then you should definitely see a rhinoplasty specialist. Review your concerns and I am sure he will review a simple plan to correct your problems. (Steven Wallach, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

Rhinoplasty for short noses

A skillful rhinoplasty surgeon will have the ability to correct your short nose. It is important to find a skilled surgeon who is a Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon or Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. As long as they are skilled and have experience then your anatomy should not be a problem for them. (Jason B. Diamond, MD, Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Short nose rhinoplasty surgery

Treatment of the pixie nose, or a smaller turned-up nose is indeed more tricky than standard reductive rhinoplasty. Treatment of this kind of nose may involve lengthening the nose or derotating the tip (derotating = making the nose less upturned). Often the techniques used to achieve these goals are the same used in revision rhinoplasty cases – where cartilage grafting and other techniques are used to add structure to the nose.

As such, I would recommend finding a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in revision rhinoplasty and structural rhinoplasty. Its also good if you spot a nose like yours in the before and after photos of the surgeon – provided the after is to your liking! Consulting with several facial plastic surgeons is always a good idea in educating yourself and in deciding what to do. Your nose is a more of a special case than a simple run of the mill nose job, so do your homework. (A. John Vartanian, MD, Glendale Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Rhinoplasty for pixie nose

Short nose rhinoplasty pixie

What you need is to find a Board Certified Plastic surgeon with experience. There is no specialist in this or that type of nose. Experienced rhinoplasty surgeon will deal with all forms and types of noses. (Samir Shureih, MD, Baltimore Plastic Surgeon)

Rhinoplasty for short noses

My goal is to create a nose that fits the patient’s face. I see many patients who have had previous surgery that is technically good, but aesthetically, the nose does not fit the face. Be careful with alterations of a short nose! It is difficult, and the aesthetic goals must be clear. (Jay Calvert, MD, Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon)

From what you said, it sounds like your nose is maybe too short and perhaps sticks up in the air too much. Also, depending on your height, it might actually be too small.

Short nose rhinoplasty operation

Clearly, I cannot give you a great opnion without at least a photo, but everything I have mentioned so far can often be improved. Just make sure you choose a rhinoplasty specialist who knows how to rotate the tip down. (Stuart H. Bentkover, MD, Boston Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Seek out an expert to treat your Short nose

I am only guessing, but I bet by “pixie like” you mean that your nose is overly “cute” – turned up, short, and very refined. You need to seek out a very, very experienced rhinoplasty surgeon to treat this condition, as most rhinoplasty maneuvers result in further refinement, further “turning up”, and further shortening of the nose! Lengthening, turning “down”, and de-pixifying a nose is actually more of a challenge than treating a large, humped, or crooked nose. Further, the changes you are likely seeing will almost definitely require cartilage grafting, and I’ll bet you have minimal cartilage available in your septum to donate because of your small nose.

You may need alternative grafting material, such as ear cartilage, to achieve stable results. In short, although you have never had prior rhinoplasty, you’d be best with a surgeon with significant revision rhinoplasty experience – the techniques employed in revision rhinoplasty are likely the same ones needed to give you the look you want. Best of luck! (Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, MD, Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon)