RE: Can columellar strut be removed and nose tip moved to oringal position?

Posted 25 Feb 2010

View 2 doctor answers to Can Columellar Strut Be Removed and Nose Tip Moved to Original Position?

Comments (5)

Janet in KC 1 Jul 2011

I've got the same issue only I had my surgery today! Did anyone try to have the strut removed immediately? I would be willing to pay. I did not understand my surgeon and agreed to the strut to actually try to lengthen my short nose by increasing the volume of the columella, which I had previously done with filler. It seems like it would be easier to remove now, before the tissue heals. I can't understand why the surgeon suggested this when my main complaint was a short nose, and I only mentioned a somewhat narrowed sinus passage in passing.

nwme (unregistered guest) 22 Jul 2009

Happily I just found that my question was answered. My surgery was done two months ago. There was no cartilage cutting or reshaping at all. The only change was that the tip was rotated very little by using a columellar strut taken from my septum. About 2 mm. I don't like the result. When I get close to 1 year, I will start consulting doctors to try to get the tip down to where it was. I am trying to deal with the anxiety and depression that this little change has brought to my life. Thank you so much for answering my question.

rani2009 23 Jul 2009

I have the same issue with my rhinoplasty. I had my super long droopy nose shortened with the same techniques as you. I would love to derotate my nose and get length back, even if it droops like before! I may ask my doc to remove the strut- did you ask yours if this is a possibility? It's been 5 weeks for me and I doubt the tip will lower enough to keep me comfortable with this new look.

nwme (unregistered guest) 23 Jul 2009

I didn't ask my doctor because I would not go back with him. Even if he just did what we had agreed on, rotating the tip up just a tiny bit, I don't think he would have the precision to get the tip back to where it was.

Manish H. Shah, MD 26 Jul 2009

Dear Rani2009, You are 5 weeks into a year long recovery process. Without seeing your nose I can't necessarily predict where the tip will ultimately position itself. Unless your surgeon anchored your tip to your septum to force the rotation upwards, gravity will ultimately rotate your tip back down some. Under your surgeon's guidance you can massage your tip down and help the process out. With the tip swelling you have right now the skin envelope is tight. When the the swelling goes down, the skin will slack up a bit and droop, rotating the tip position down a bit. Ultimaely, after one year, if it is not in the position you desire it to be, it can be rotated back with cartilage grafting through a revision rhinoplasty. Good luck, Dr. Shah

View answers from Manish H. Shah, MD