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Removal of Hanging Columella During Rhinoplasty Result in Wider Nose?

asked 2 years ago by starr86 in n/a
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 1,757 times
Tags: columella, widen

I was wondering if the removal of a hanging columella would make a nose appear wider or the nostrils flare more? It seems to me that removing the pressure or pull of the hanging cartilage would let the nostrils bounce up and out, thus widening, since when it was hanging it would be pulling and narrowing the nostrils. I hope that makes sense. thank you.

12 answers to Removal of Hanging Columella During Rhinoplasty Result in Wider Nose?

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Effect of Removal of a Hanging Columella on Nasal Width

If your surgery is done by an experienced surgeon, correction of a hanging columella will not cause increased width of your tip. Proper technique selection will give you the desired, proportional result.
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Nostril width after hanging columella removal depends on amount removed

The normal removal of a hanging columella will not make the nose appear wider. If greater than 5 mm of hanging columella is removed it could make the nostrils slightly flare and wider. This is a very common procedure that is done at the time of a rhinoplasty. One of the tell tale signs of having had a rhinoplasty surgery is when there is too much columellar show (hanging columella).
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The simple answer is no

Without seeing a photograph of your nose I can only speculate. However, in general, if your surgery is done by an experienced and skilled rhinoplasty specialist, your nose should not appear wider or flared. If anything, a good correction of a hanging columella should result in a more refined appearance to your nose. Now, it is possible, if your surgeon doesn't understand the forces and vectors involved, to make a nose look blunter or wider during the correction of a hanging... more
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Nasal width after collumelar changes

The optical allusions that may change after rhinoplasty are very real. However, the reduction for the collumlla should not physically of optically cahnge the base width for the nose. Initial swelling and bruising may give that apperance, but when healing is complete the width should be the same as pre operativly.
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Nostrils will not be wider after removal of a hanging columella.

Your nose will look better after removal of the hanging columella, but won't be wider. The surgeon knows how to do this if he is good. 
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Hanging columella and nasal width

Correcting a hanging columella should have little to no impact on the width of the nose. This can be corrected with suturing techniques possibly combined with excisional techniques.
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There is always some degree of change to nasal features

As with any modification of a nasal feature there is always some degree of change to other features of the nose. An experienced Rhinoplasty surgeon will be able to show you the changes that you can expect depending on the particular cause of the hanging Columella. This feature is very important to identify pre-operatively as correction of a hanging columella can significantly improve the aesthetics of the nasal tip. This can often be the difference between a modest improvement and a great... more
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Correction of your hanging columella should not result in widening of your nose.

There are several ways to correct your hanging columella. These involve septal shortening, division of your lower lateral cartilages, and septal suturing. You would need to be examined to determine what 's best for you. In most cases, division of your lower lateral cartilages at their angle allows straightening of the medial crurae and improvement of the "hang".  http://archfaci.ama-assn.org/content/2/3/173.full If the projection of your nose remains the same, you should not... more
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Removal of hanging columella during rhinoplasty result in wider nose

The simple answer is yes. But it is an optical illusion that occurs went the angles of light hitting facial structure changes by removing the hanging colummella. Regards from MIAMI Dr. B
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Rhinoplasty is a dynamic procedure with many interactive parts

Every maneuver in rhinoplasty has numerous consequences. An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon understands each of these techniques and the effects on other parts of the nose. Your inquiry about a hanging columella really depends on the cause. A hanging columella has at least 4 causes, each with a different treatment. Any changes elsewhere in the nose should be anticipated and either used for your advantage or compensated for. For example, reducing the tip cartilage can affect width, the angle... more
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Hanging columella

The correction of a hanging columella should not produce much, if any, changes to the nostril width.  Usually the procedure includes decreasing the lower projection of the septum, and/or the soft tissue between the columella and the lower septum, and/or suturing the medial crura of the lower cartilages to the lower septum.   There are other variations on the technique, but most will accomplish and straight line elevation of the columella without any effect on other parts of the nose. more
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Removal of hanging columella may result in wider nose

You are very intuitive.  The truth is that the nose tip and nostrils will "appear" different afterwards due to the change in balance and relationship and "may" appear wider. However, depending on the reason and technique of correction of the hanging columella, the tip may actually flare and become in fact wider as well. But with proper planning and imaging, corrections may be possible to prevent unwanted flaring or widening.

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