A 'polly beak' is a deformity in the shape of the nose. In those with a polly beak, there is a hump located just above the tip of the nose, in the area known as the supratip. Normally, there is a small dip in this area, defining the transition from the nasal bridge to the tip. When that area is filled in, leading to a small hump instead of a dip, it is known as a pollybeak. This can make the nose appear down-turned like a parrot's break, and focuses the attention on the bridge rather than the tip of the nose.
This is one of the more common complications of nose job surgery, and one of the reasons why patients may seek revision rhinoplasty. This fullness may be caused by excess scar tissue or over- or under-removal of cartilage or bone during the initial surgery. During surgery, swelling often obscures the problem, which becomes apparent as the nose heals. Although it is possible for people to be born with a pollybeak, it is much more common to see this deformity as a result of rhinoplasty surgery.
Those with a polly beak deformity are often dissatisfied with the 'bird-like' appearance of their nose. Depending on the underlying cause of the polly beak, it may be treatable with steroids, or it may require revision surgery. According to one study, more than half of patients seeking revision rhinoplasty had a polly beak deformity. During the revision procedure, the excess scar tissue or cartilage are shaved down to remove the excess hump causing the polly beak.
