Pollybeak Deformity

What is a pollybeak deformity?
A pollybeak deformity occurs when the area above the tip of the nose on the bridge is the highest part of the nose when seen from a profile view. The rather unflattering term “pollybeak” comes from how the nose looks similar to a parrot beak.

Causes of a pollybeak deformity?
A pollybeak deformity can be secondary to a rhinoplasty procedure or part of a patient’s natural nasal shape. In a patient who has not had surgery it is usually caused by an overgrowth of the septal cartilage or nasal tip cartilages. In the rhinoplasty patient a pollybeak deformity may occur from either too little nasal septum being removed after reducing the height of the nasal tip. It can also occur from a build-up of scar tissue in the area just about the tip.

Scar tissue or excess residual septal or tip cartilage
Regardless of the cause of the pollybeak deformity the treatment involves removing tissue in the area just above the nasal tip. The tissue may be excess septal cartilage or scar tissue. Elevating and refining the nasal tip will also add projection to the nose and may help remove a pollybeak deformity.