- Rhinoplasty
- Surgical procedure to reshape the nose. May address aesthetic concerns (dorsal hump, tip projection, width), functional concerns (breathing obstruction), or both. The most technically demanding procedure in cosmetic plastic surgery.
- Closed Rhinoplasty
- Rhinoplasty performed entirely through incisions inside the nostrils, leaving no visible external scar. Also called endonasal rhinoplasty. Suitable for the majority of primary rhinoplasty cases when surgeon is experienced in the technique.
- Open Rhinoplasty
- Rhinoplasty using a small external incision across the columella (the strip of skin between the nostrils) plus internal incisions. Provides full surgical visibility but leaves a small external scar. Often required for complex revision cases.
- Endonasal Rhinoplasty
- Synonymous with closed rhinoplasty — performed through internal nostril incisions only, no external scar.
- Septoplasty
- Surgical correction of a deviated nasal septum to improve breathing. Often performed simultaneously with rhinoplasty as septorhinoplasty. Functional component covered by some health insurance even when combined with cosmetic rhinoplasty.
- Septorhinoplasty
- Combined septoplasty and rhinoplasty performed in a single procedure. Addresses both functional (breathing) and aesthetic concerns. Common combination — many rhinoplasty patients also have septal deviation.
- Dorsal Preservation Rhinoplasty
- Modern technique that preserves the natural dorsal aesthetic lines of the nose rather than removing and rebuilding the dorsum. Reduces dorsum irregularity risk. Variations include Cottle, Saban (push-down/let-down), and modified preservation techniques.
- Dorsal Hump
- Bump or convexity along the bridge of the nose, visible in profile view. Reduction is one of the most common rhinoplasty goals. Modern technique uses preservation when possible rather than complete dorsum removal.
- Nasal Dorsum
- The bridge of the nose — the upper external surface running from between the eyes to the tip. Composed of nasal bones (upper) and upper lateral cartilages (lower). Aesthetic dorsal lines are key to natural-looking results.
- Nasal Tip
- The most projected point of the nose, supported by the lower lateral (alar) cartilages. Tip refinement (rotation, projection, definition) is one of the most technically demanding aspects of rhinoplasty.
- Alar Cartilages
- The lower lateral cartilages of the nose that form the structure of the nasal tip. Tip refinement techniques modify, suture, or graft these cartilages to achieve aesthetic and structural goals.
- Upper Lateral Cartilages
- Paired cartilages forming the middle third of the nose, between the nasal bones above and lower lateral cartilages below. Critical structures for both aesthetic dorsal lines and internal nasal valve function.
- Internal Nasal Valve
- The narrowest portion of the nasal airway, located where the upper lateral cartilage meets the septum. Collapse or narrowing here is a common cause of post-rhinoplasty breathing problems.
- Osteotomy
- Controlled cutting of nasal bones to reshape or narrow the bony pyramid. Most rhinoplasties involve some form of osteotomy. Modern technique uses fine instruments and precise cuts to minimise tissue trauma.
- Piezosurgery / Piezo Rhinoplasty
- Use of ultrasonic instruments for nasal bone reshaping rather than traditional osteotomes. Reduces soft tissue trauma, post-operative bruising, and swelling. Suitable for both closed and open rhinoplasty.
- Cartilage Grafting
- Use of cartilage (typically from the nasal septum, ear, or rib) to augment, support, or reshape nasal structures. Common in primary rhinoplasty for tip support and revision rhinoplasty for reconstruction.
- Septal Cartilage
- Cartilage from the nasal septum, the most common donor source for grafting in primary rhinoplasty. Limited supply; usually adequate for primary cases but may be insufficient for complex revision.
- Conchal (Ear) Cartilage
- Cartilage from the ear bowl (concha), used as a graft source when septal cartilage is unavailable or insufficient. Curved natural shape useful for tip support and alar reconstruction.
- Costal (Rib) Cartilage
- Cartilage from the rib, used as a graft source in complex revision rhinoplasty when septal and conchal cartilage are unavailable. Provides large quantity of cartilage but adds donor site morbidity.
- Columella
- The strip of skin between the nostrils, externally visible from frontal view. Open rhinoplasty places a small incision across this area; closed rhinoplasty avoids any incision here.
- Columellar Strut Graft
- Cartilage graft placed inside the columella to provide tip support. Common in primary rhinoplasty for maintaining tip projection during healing.
- Revision Rhinoplasty
- Second or subsequent rhinoplasty performed to address residual or new concerns from a previous rhinoplasty. Technically more demanding than primary surgery; failure rate of revision is higher than primary.
- Primary Rhinoplasty
- First-time rhinoplasty (no prior nasal surgery). Higher success rate than revision and easier technically because anatomical landmarks are intact.
- Ethnic Rhinoplasty
- Rhinoplasty that respects and preserves ethnic identity rather than imposing European-derived aesthetic standards. Anatomical considerations differ across populations: nasal skin thickness, cartilage strength, dorsal projection patterns.
- Functional Rhinoplasty
- Rhinoplasty primarily addressing breathing function rather than aesthetics. Septoplasty, internal valve correction, turbinate reduction. May be partially insurance-covered depending on jurisdiction.
- Nasal Packing
- Material placed inside the nostrils after rhinoplasty to control bleeding and stabilise septum. Modern technique uses silicone splints rather than traditional gauze — less discomfort during removal.
- External Nasal Splint
- Plastic or thermoplastic cast applied to the nose externally for the first 7-10 days post-operatively. Protects the nose during initial healing and helps maintain shape.
- Post-Operative Swelling (Edema)
- Tissue swelling after rhinoplasty. Major swelling resolves in 2-3 weeks; complete resolution takes 12-18 months. Tip swelling is typically the last to resolve.
- Tip Rotation
- The angle at which the nasal tip points relative to the upper lip. Increased rotation = more upturned. A common rhinoplasty goal in patients with droopy or downward-pointing tips.
- Tip Projection
- How far the nasal tip extends forward from the face. Adjusted in rhinoplasty by suture techniques, cartilage modifications, or grafts.
- Nasal Asymmetry
- Imbalance between the left and right sides of the nose. Some asymmetry is universal (no nose is perfectly symmetric); rhinoplasty can reduce but not always eliminate visible asymmetry.
- Dorsal Aesthetic Lines
- Visible aesthetic lines running from the brow to the tip on each side of the nose. Smooth, continuous dorsal lines are a key indicator of natural-looking rhinoplasty results.
- Supratip Break
- Subtle indentation between the dorsum and tip of the nose, visible in profile view. A natural feature in feminine noses; intentionally created or preserved in many rhinoplasties.
- Polly Beak Deformity
- Post-rhinoplasty deformity where the supratip area appears too full or convex, causing the nose to look like a parrot's beak in profile. Preventable with appropriate technique; correctable with revision.
- Inverted-V Deformity
- Visible separation between the nasal bones and upper lateral cartilages, appearing as an inverted V on the dorsum. Result of inadequate middle vault support after dorsal reduction.
- FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons)
- Senior surgical fellowship awarded by the American College of Surgeons. Held by most US plastic surgeons. Verifiable on facs.org. Dr. Erdal was inducted as FACS at ACS Clinical Congress 2025.
- FEBOPRAS
- Fellow, European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. European board certification requiring rigorous written and oral examinations.
- JCI Accreditation
- Joint Commission International — international standard for hospital quality and patient safety. Same standard used by major US hospitals.