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?

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9 answers to “Are there any approaches to nostril...”

A: Nasal width reductions are specific to each problem

By Robert M. Freund, MD - New York City Plastic Surgeon

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... more

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

By David Shafer, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Many Techniques for Nostril Reduction

By Michael A. Persky, MD - Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: No Cookie Cutter Approaches in Rhinoplasty

By Anil R. Shah, MD - Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Many approaches, but beware

By D.J. Verret, MD - Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Multiple approaches to reducing nostrils

By William Portuese, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Are there any approaches to nostril reduction

By Harrison C. Putman III, MD - Peoria Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Nostril reduction is a graduated approach

By Scott Trimas, MD - Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

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... more

A: Nostril reductions

By Steven Wallach, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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.

Comments

gcirami
7 posts
13 Nov 2008

The surgeon and the patient need to come to an understanding as to what the ultimate goal of the procedure is in this type of surgery. I have found that the patient has a very specfic look they are trying to achieve and since beauty is subjective, the patient should be able to bring in photos of noses that they love and hate. This allows me to really enter into what their expectations are and I can honestly tell them if and how it will be possible to achieve. I have found this to be very effective over the last 25 years. There are many ways to achieve nostril reduction, and each patient's case demands it's own solution.

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