Nose Surgery: Q&A
Ask a QuestionAre 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?
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20 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Lisat
in USA
+4
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...
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+4
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...
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+3
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.
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+3
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
+3
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...
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+2
Nostrils in Rhinoplasty Need to Be Customized
You pose a great question. Just like other parts of the nose (bridge, tip sidewalls), the nostrils need customized attention. There is no one way to perform anything artistic such as plastic surgery, especially rhinoplasty. Nostril shaping in rhinoplasty is highly specialized and commonly needed for ethnic patients. Your surgeon needs to evaluate the nostril aperture, the distance between the nostrils, the shape of the nostrils (round, oval, teardrop), the thickness of the actual...
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+2
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...
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+2
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...
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+1
Nostril Reduction in Rhinoplasty
One of the key elements in the ethnic nose nostril reduction is that it must be done precisely in the alar base. In the hands of an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon this is a very routine operative procedure.
+1
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.
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.
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