Alar Base Reduction and Weir Technique Difference?

You are right, they are just different names for the same basic idea: narrowing the nostril base and decreasing the nostril size. There are nuances to this technique, including properly designing the incisions, and meticulous closing technique. You should look at your surgeon's before and after photos of the patients with similar concerns who had this procedure done.

Alar base reduction (alarplasty) involves a curvilinear, comma incision along the entire alar facial groove around the side of the nostril. The Weir technique is an alarplasty technique where 3 to 4 mm of skin is removed from the bottom and the floor sill of the nose. Weir technique will both reduce the flare of the nostrils; however, the alar base reduction actually removes a portion of the alar lobule.

The Weir technique is just one type of alar reduction. Don't be concerned about the name of the procedure, only what will change as a result of the surgery.

Nostril reduction surgery (called Alarplasty / Alar Base Reduction) is a procedure that can narrow the width of the nostril base, decrease the amount of nostril flaring, or decrease the size of the nostrils. To accomplish this, the surgeon makes an incision in the crease where the nostril wall meets the cheek. A wedge shaped piece of nostril wall is removed, and when the incision is sewn closed, the nostril narrowing is acheived. The incision can be limited to the exterior part of the... more

 The Weir technique is just one type of alar base reduction. There are many techniques to change the appearance of the alar base.  They can narrow the nostrils, decrease flare, change the base width of the nose, etc..

Adjustment of the ala, the skin around the side of the nostril is a common step in nasal shaping, Some of the original ideas concerning shaping the ala and the base were described by Weir and the concept still is often referred to as a Weir procedure. The pattern used has expanded greatly, and textbooks will often devote a full chapter to shaping the ala and controlling the alar base. Any surgeon who is well experience in rhinoplasty will be familiar with them and how best to apply a... more

A Weir reduction is a specific type of alar base reduction technique. It is similar to saying a cadillac is a type of automobile. There are many different types of alar base reduction procedures. The specific procedure can be designed to make the nostrils, narrower, thinner, etc.

The Weir technique is a type of alar base reduction.  There are many different names for the techniques used in alar base reduction. The choice of technique is based on the surgeon's preference and training background as well as your  particular anatomy. 

Procedures in surgery are commonly named after the surgeon who innovated them. Alar base reduction refers to reducing the size of the nostril. There are several more popular techniques used to accomplish this that all basically involve removal of a small wedge of tissue in the area where the nostril meets the base of the nose. A Weir excision is one of those techniques. Overaggressive reliance on one technique can artificially flatten the look of the nostril, contributing to a triangular... more

Alar base reduction usually involves removal of some skin to bring the nostrils closer together and/or make them smaller. The Weir technique mainly uses a stitch only to bring the nostrils closer together. Check with your plastic surgeon about which is right for you, and look at some before and after photos before having any procedures done. Good luck!

In medicine we have lots of names for things. Dr. Weir was a physician and the procedure is named after him. Alar base resection is a broader term. Speak to your doctor and find out what they want to do.