Treatment Overview
Transdomal Suture is a refined rhinoplasty technique used to narrow and reshape the nasal tip by placing sutures across the domes of the lower lateral cartilages (alar cartilages). This controlled stitching allows surgeons to slim a bulbous tip, improve definition, and enhance nasal aesthetics without removing excessive cartilage.
In Korea, surgeons frequently combine transdomal sutures with other tip techniques like dome binding, columella strut grafts, or shield grafts for natural, stable, and long-lasting results. This method is especially common for Asian and ethnic rhinoplasty, where thicker nasal skin and bulbous tips are frequent concerns.
Purpose & Benefits
- Creates a slimmer and more refined nasal tip
- Reduces bulbous or rounded tip appearance
- Provides better symmetry between nasal domes
- Improves tip definition without major cartilage removal
- Supports natural results with structural stability
- Can be combined with defatting, grafts, or implants for advanced corrections
Ideal Candidates
- Patients with a bulbous or wide nasal tip
- Individuals with thick skin seeking more definition
- Those who want tip refinement without aggressive cartilage removal
- Patients undergoing primary or revision tip rhinoplasty
- Ethnic patients (Asian, African, Middle Eastern) who often present with wide tip cartilage
Possible Risks & Complications
- Mild asymmetry if sutures are uneven
- Temporary swelling at the nasal tip
- Over-tightening may cause pinched appearance
- Rare cases of suture visibility under thin skin
- Long-term results depend on skin thickness and healing response
Surgical Techniques Used
- Open Rhinoplasty Approach – ensures precision placement of sutures
- Transdomal Sutures – placed across the tip domes to narrow and reshape cartilage
- Often performed with:
- Tip Defatting – for patients with excess soft tissue
- Columella Strut Graft – for tip support and projection
- Shield Graft – for tip definition and elongation
- Dome Binding Sutures – for extra refinement and narrowing
- Focus is on preserving cartilage structure while enhancing definition
Recovery & Aftercare
- Downtime: 7–10 days before returning to work or daily life
- Swelling: Reduces significantly within 2–3 weeks; subtle swelling can last 6–12 months
- Stitch Removal: 5–7 days after surgery
- Final Results: Visible after swelling subsides, typically in 6–12 months
- Aftercare: Avoid pressure on the nose, keep the area clean, and follow clinic instructions for taping/splint care
Results & Longevity
- Produces a natural-looking refined nasal tip
- Long-lasting results due to stable suture placement
- Enhances overall nasal balance and harmony
- Results remain stable when combined with structural grafting techniques
Treatment Process in Korea
Korean plastic surgery clinics follow a step-by-step approach to ensure precision in transdomal suture procedures:
- Initial Consultation (Online/Offline): 3D analysis and evaluation of tip cartilage structure
- Customized Surgery Plan: Decision on whether to combine with defatting or grafting
- Pre-Surgery Preparation: Medical check-up, anesthesia planning, skin thickness evaluation
- Surgery (1.5–2.5 hours): Placement of sutures across domes, cartilage reshaping if needed
- Immediate Aftercare: Nose taped or splinted for stabilization
- Follow-Up Visits: Stitches removed, swelling checked, and healing progress monitored
- Final Results: A slimmer, more defined nasal tip after healing is complete
Cost Range in Korea
The cost of Transdomal Suture in Korea depends on whether it is performed alone or combined with other tip rhinoplasty techniques:
- Basic Transdomal Suture (simple correction):
₩3,500,000 – ₩5,000,000 KRW ($2,600 – $3,800 USD) - With Tip Defatting or Grafting:
₩5,000,000 – ₩7,500,000 KRW ($3,800 – $5,700 USD) - Revision Rhinoplasty with Transdomal Sutures (complex cases):
₩7,500,000 – ₩11,000,000 KRW ($5,700 – $8,400 USD)
💡 Some clinics also provide international patient packages covering consultation, translation, and aftercare services.
Popular Clinics for Transdomal Suture in Korea
- ID Hospital (Gangnam, Seoul) – expertise in advanced tip refinement techniques
- Banobagi Plastic Surgery – focuses on natural definition for bulbous tips
- JW Plastic Surgery – skilled in revision cases with transdomal sutures
- View Plastic Surgery – offers combined approaches (suturing + grafting)
- April31 Plastic Surgery – popular among international patients for tip-focused surgeries
- DA Plastic Surgery – experienced with ethnic rhinoplasty tip refinements
