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Rhinoplasty Technique · SKMC Abu Dhabi

Preservation Rhinoplasty

Preservation rhinoplasty lowers a dorsal hump from underneath the nasal foundation, keeping the natural cartilage roof and skin of the bridge intact. Dr Thomas Colson uses this technique at SKMC for patients who want a straighter profile with a result that looks untouched.

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Written by Dr Thomas Colson, Head of the Department of Plastic Surgery, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC), Abu Dhabi · Double board-certified (SOFCPRE, EBOPRAS) · Last reviewed June 2026
The Concept

Lowering the bridge without opening the roof

Preservation rhinoplasty changes how a dorsal hump is reduced. For decades, lowering the bridge meant filing or cutting the top of the nose, which disrupts the "keystone area" where bone meets cartilage and leaves a roof that must be reconstructed.

Dr Thomas Colson performs preservation rhinoplasty by removing a precise strip of bone and cartilage from underneath the nasal foundation, then lowering the entire bridge as one intact unit to a straight profile. The natural dorsal skin and cartilage roof are kept in place.

Why it can mean less swelling

Because the soft-tissue envelope over the bridge is never lifted, the surface tends to heal smoothly and the risk of visible irregularities along the bridge is reduced. The technique suits patients with a dorsal hump and a tip they already like.

Candidacy

Ideal candidates meet these criteria

Recovery

What to expect afterwards

Day 0 Day-case or short-stay surgery at SKMC under general anaesthesia. External splint applied.
Day 6–7 Splint removed; first view of the new, straighter profile.
Week 2 Most patients return to work and social life; residual swelling fades.
Month 12 Final settling of the bridge and tip.
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Am I a candidate for preservation rhinoplasty?
Preservation rhinoplasty is most appropriate for patients who want to reduce a dorsal hump but already like the general shape of their nasal tip. It works well on small-to-moderate humps with reasonably thin skin and a straight-to-mildly-deviated bridge. Patients who need significant tip rotation, major deviation correction, or revision of a previous operation are usually better served by structural rhinoplasty. Dr Colson confirms suitability during the SKMC consultation.
How is preservation rhinoplasty different from a traditional nose job?
Traditional dorsal-hump reduction removes the top of the bridge, opening the natural cartilage roof that has to be rebuilt. Preservation rhinoplasty instead lowers the whole bridge from underneath by removing a strip of bone and cartilage at the base, keeping the dorsal skin and cartilage roof intact. Because the soft tissue over the bridge is left undisturbed, swelling is often reduced and the surface stays smooth.
Will my nose look natural after preservation rhinoplasty?
Because the natural dorsal lines of your own nose are preserved rather than reconstructed, the bridge keeps its original surface and tends to look untouched once healed. Dr Colson uses this technique specifically when the goal is subtle refinement of the profile rather than a dramatic change.
Are the results of preservation rhinoplasty long-lasting?
Preservation rhinoplasty produces a long-lasting change to the nasal structure. As with any rhinoplasty, the nose continues to settle for up to 12 months, and the final shape is stable thereafter. Normal ageing of the skin and soft tissues continues over the years, as it does for everyone.
How long is recovery after preservation rhinoplasty?
Most patients have their splint removed at 6 to 7 days and return to social activities within 10 to 14 days. Because the bridge soft tissue is not lifted, bruising is often limited. Sun protection is advised for the first month, which matters in the Abu Dhabi climate.
Sheikh Khalifa Medical City

Plan Your Rhinoplasty Consultation

Consultations and surgery with Dr Thomas Colson are performed exclusively at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) in Abu Dhabi, within the SEHA network. A pre-operative Crisalix 3D simulation lets patients preview the planned nasal profile before deciding.

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