How is a Nose Made Longer?

asked 1 year ago by Sharpie
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 412 times
Tags: lengthen

I had an attractive long nose and just wanted it a bit slimmer and ended up with a short, stubby, piggish, bulbous nose. I am told I have no septum or cartilage left. What does a plastic surgeon usually do to make a nose longer again? Do you do anything with the septum?

8 answers to How is a Nose Made Longer?

Lengthening the Nose

Cartilage grafts from the ears or ribs are used to restore proper nasal length. This graft will also restore septal structure and function.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Nose lengthening difficult without grafts

It is very difficult to make the nose look longer without any cartilage grafting. It is one of the most difficult maneuvers to perform during a rhinoplasty operation. In trying to gain length, many times the tip of the nose comes up and looks too upturned. There are some tip techniques that are performed such as dome suturing techniques with cartilage struts and tip grafts to give more projection to the nasal tip, but we are only talking about several millimeters, not a large change.... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Lengthening the Overly Shortened Nose After Rhinoplasty

The shortened nose or "pig nose" deformity is a common complaint following rhinoplasty surgery. In order to lengthen the nose special grafts will have to be placed during revision surgery. "Septal Extender" and "Extended Spreader" grafts can be placed to increase length. Since you do not have septal cartilage, I would prefer to use rib cartilage for the procedure. Rib will provide the most durable and lasting effects for this... more

Anthony Corrado, DO
Philadelphia Facial Plastic Surgeon

Reconstructing the Over-Operated "Piggish" Nose

Regarding: "How is a Nose Made Longer? I had an attractive long nose and just wanted it a bit slimmer and ended up with a short, stubby, piggish, bulbous nose. I am told I have no septum or cartilage left. What does a plastic surgeon usually do to make a nose longer again? Do you do anything with the septum?" Your story is tragic and unfortunately too common. Nose surgery is the real life surgical version of playing with a house of card. Here every change to the nose... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Lengthening a shortened nose

This is one of the more complex rhinoplasty procedures. Lengthening a nose that has been made too short from a previous rhinoplasty requires grafting usually from a rib or ear or both in order to achieve the necessary length since there is generally very little septum left to work with. Alternatively, irradiated rib cartilage from another source can be used as well. I would seek the consultation of a skilled rhinoplastic surgeon who specializes in revision procedures. more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Changing the nasal shape

Rebuilding a nose can be a bit more difficult than reducing one. An exam is necessary and review of your previous surgeries.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Elongate the nose

Cartilage is one of the key component s in determining the appearance of the tip of the nose. Finding enough cartilage to reshape your nose is essential. Using cartilage, the nose can be refined, elongated and sculpted. The septum does help provide support for the nose and can be used to help create the desired look. If you do not have any cartilage left, then cartilage can be taken from donor areas such as the ear or even rib. Discussing your results with... more