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Are There Any Approaches to Nostril Reduction?

Some nose jobs I've seen seem to have included nicely done nostril reduction. Is there just one approach to achieve such result (which will require external incisions on both sides of the wedges), or are there more approaches?

Asked 39 months ago by Lisat in USA

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nostrils reduction

Nostril reduction is a graduated approach

Nostril reduction is a graduated approach. In my opinion, nostril reduction involves a stepwise approach. For someone who has normal shaped nostrils and the entire nose is reduced, sometimes flaring or widening of the nostrils can occur. Often this can be treated with simple excision of some soft tissue in the area called the nostril sill which is the area between the nostril and septum/columella(column of nose). These scars are imperceptible. Next, if the nostrils tend to not only be wide... more

Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Many approaches, but beware

There are several approaches to nostril narrowing, but beware, nostril narrowing can also cause difficulty breathing and may not be reversible. The often used aesthetic is from caucasians where the base of the nostrils should be as wide as the distance between the eyes. This varies by ethnicity of the patient though. Narrowing the nostril too much may cause significant breathing difficulty and will be very difficult if not impossible to correct.

D.J. Verret, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nasal width reductions are specific to each problem

Nasal width reduction is used for different problems and thus the techniques are different for the desired result. Problem #1-Very wide base with poorly projecting tip. For this problem increasing tip projection along with medially placed wedge resection works well. The wedge resection is usually well hidden. Problem #2 - Very wide base, poorly projecting tip and rounded nostrils. Same as problem #1, but with added excision inside the nostril to flatten out the rounded nostril. Problem #3... more

Robert M. Freund, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Many Techniques for Nostril Reduction

Hi Lisat, I agree with you that many rhinoplasties involve excellent nostril reduction. There are many different approaches depending on the type of nostril. Most importantly, the excision requires precise diagnosis, execution, and closure to prevent an obvious "surgical" appearance. Nostril reduction is considered when the lateral aspects of the nostril are outside of a striaght line dropped down from the inside corner of the eye. Be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

The nose if very complex, but there are ways to reduce the nostrils

This is a good question. People often enquire about nostril reduction. The anatomy of the nose is very complex and often by changing one aspect of the nose the others change as well. So, it is often best to approach the nose as a whole rather than doing "quick fixes" to just one part. For reducing the nostrils, what you describe is an alar base resection - this essentially involves wedging out the lateral parts of the nostril and sewing them back together. In this procedure the incision... more

David Shafer, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Narrowing the nostrils

There are two techniques which are used for narrowing the nostrils during rhinoplasty: Weir excisions and Sill excisions. The Weir excision is used for nostrils which are excessively flared. In this procedure, a portion of the nostril rim is excised where it meets the face. The Sill Excision is indicated for patients who have an excessively wide base of the nose. In this procedure, a small wedge of tissue is resected in the nasal sill, between the edge of the nostril and... more

Umang Mehta, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

No Cookie Cutter Approaches in Rhinoplasty

Nostril reduction, aka alar base reduction, is a highly complex procedure to make either the alar region or nostril region smaller. Once this procedure has been performed it is very difficult to reverse. Just some insight into its complexity: There are many ways to perform this procedure. The incision can be made at the corner of the nostril, on the outside, with an internal suture, etc. The nostril size can be decreased or left the same. The base of the nose can be decreased... more

Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Approach Nostril Reduction With Respect

Nostril reduction which requires external incisions around the nostril on the face should be thoughtfully considered. The incisions may not always heal to your satisfaction and scarring is difficult to correct. If the nostril reduction is absolutely required for nasal proportions, the benefit justifies the scar. If nostril reduction is optional, often I suggest doing the primary nose surgery first, and then re-evaluate whether the nostril reduction is even necessary. more

Edward Szachowicz, MD, PhD

Minneapolis Facial Plastic Surgeon

Narrowing wide noses

There are several approaches that can be considered for narrowing the nostrils. This could involve narrowing the nostril base as one does with alar base wedge removal. The height of the nostrils can also be reduced with surgical procedures that reduce the internal lower lateral cartilages and allow the cartilages to settle into internal pockets that can be created during the surgery. This maneuver will reduce the height and width of the tip of the nose... more

Francis (Frank) William Rieger, MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Nostril reduction

The nostril reductions are all variations of a basic wedge resection on the outer aspect of the nostril. If the wedge is not too severe external scars can be avoided. All the best, Talmage J. Raine MD FACS

Talmage J. Raine, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Are There Any Approaches to Nostril Reduction?

Nostril reduction traditionally is limited and causes scar. I have developed a technique which reduces the width of the nose without scar formation in one surgery and lasting so far about 10 years. See before and after pictures in this page or the website.

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Mohsen Tavoussi, MD, DO

Huntington Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon

There are multiple different rhinoplasty approaches to nostril reduction.

There are multiple different approaches to nostril reduction. The most common is the one that you have described, known as Weir excisions, adjacent to the sides of the nose. In order to make the width of the nose smaller, an alternative approach is to make an excision of skin inside the nostril, rather than at the sides of the nose. This is my preferred route, since I believe the scar in this case is better camouflaged and is very difficult to see. The nostrils also may be made smaller... more

Michael R. Macdonald, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

How to Reduce Nostril Size

Nostril size reduction is a common part of many rhinoplasties. Along the sill of the nostril or at the outside corner, a wedge of tissue is removed and then that wedge is sutured together. This procedure does not work on all nostril types. Ones with a wide flat sill are best suited for this procedure. Using a similar technique, excessive flair of the nostril can be reduced by making the incision at the outside corner and extending it into the crease along the side... more

Louis W. Apostolakis, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon

Narrowing the nostrils through rhinoplasty

A variety of techniques can be used to narrow the nostrils, most of which avoid any external incision other than one that is made along the inside of the nostrils. The key element is not disrupting the natural internal curvature of the nostrils, so that a smooth not sharp junction is achieved, providing a natural appearance.

Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nasal base reduction can yield very nice results

There are many techniques to narrowing the nasal base. There is always a risk of scarring and irregular healing with any of these techniques. It is very important to make sure the procedure is indicated.

Robert Mounsey, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

Are there any approaches to nostril reduction

Nostril reduction can be performed to reduce flaring and to reduce the width of the nostrils, as well as improve the shape to a lesser degree. This usually requires well concealed incisions externally and internally at the nasal base. Sometimes buried sutures are used to minimize visible incisions. Symmetry and shape are important aesthetic concerns, as well as avoiding iatrogenic nasal airway compromise, so discuss this with your Rhinoplasty surgeon in consultation. Computer imaging and... more

Harrison C. Putman III, MD

Peoria Facial Plastic Surgeon

Multiple approaches to reducing nostrils

Most nostril reductions are done at the time of the rhinoplasty. This is only done for wide and flaring nostrils. There are multiple different approaches to doing this, but all involve some portion of skin wedge excision at the area of the nostril where it joins with the cheek. The incision is located inside the nostril on the floor of the nose.

William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nostril reductions

There are many different ways to reduce nostril size. This depends upon the relationship of the width of the lower third of the nose to the other areas. Sometimes the base width of the nostrils has to be reduced, and can be combined to remove the nasal flare as well. So there are many variables.