Open Rhinoplasty Incision Location?

I had an open rhinoplasty two weeks ago to correct an overly bulbous and droopy tip and I've noticed that the columella incision has been placed at the base of the columella instead of mid-columella where it's normally placed. Is there any reason why my surgeon would have done that and are there any long term side effects such as a strained upper lip associated with that? Currently I have a very stiff upper lip and I'm not sure if the location of the incision may be the reason for it.

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14 Doctor Answers | Asked by sara67

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Columella incision

Narrowest point is typical. Base is not wrong jus much less common. I have never done that myself. The location is unlikely to affect the upper lip motion. For the time being that is lily due to edema.

Incision location

If you feel swelling I your upper lip, it is unlikely dues to the location of the open rhinoplasty incision, but rather a result of typical post op swelling. The open rhino incision usually heals quite nicely even if it was placed slightly lower on your columella. As time goes on, your lip will feel less stiff and the scar should be virtually invisible.

Columella Incision Placement During A Rhinoplasty

Dear Sara, Have you had a tip projection while addressing you are having a tip reduction? If so, then perhaps the incision was necessary to be made lower then the mid-columella. Usually, the incision is made at the mid-columella - the narrowest point - as you have mentioned in your description. The stiffness of your front lip and your tip is normal at this point. I recommend that you communicate with your surgeon who knows the full details of your surgery. Thank you for... more

Open rhinoplasty incision location

You're right that the open rhinoplasty incision is usually placed at its narrowest point. This typically approximates the mid portion. The incision is sometimes placed a bit further down toward the lip, especially if an increase in tip projection is planned (so the incision doesn't end up too close to the tip after the tip is projected).

Location of Open Rhinoplasty Incision

I am of opinion that the most popular incision over the narrowest part of columella has the hazard of scar contracture and making it look like a deformity in many patients specially if the blood supply of the skin over the wound margins was compromised resulting into delayed healing.I therefore go for the base of columella incision and the resultant scar falls in the shadow of the nose and becomes invisible in period of time.I also vary my depth of dissection .I do not separate skin from the... more

The location of the transcolumellar incision for an open rhinoplasty

The location preferred by most rhinoplasty surgeons is the narrowest part of the columella, which usually corresponds to the center. Some surgeons do prefer to have it place more posteriorly (closer to the lip). That is not to say that it's wrong, but just a variation. It would be rare to make the incision any further forward than the center point. A strained or stiff upper lip should not be a permanent problem after rhinoplasty. Edema or swelling from such maneuvers such as making a... more

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Location of columellar incision in open rhinoplasty

There is a variety of location and design of the columellar incision. the stiffness of your lip is probably not related to the location of the incision.

An Open Rhinoplasty Incision is Placed to Give the Least Noticeable Scar

A mid-columellar incision is probably the most common but certainly not the only option for placing the incision. If you think about it, we decide on where to place the incision by where we think the scar will be the least noticeable. The mid-columella is the narrowest part, so placing the incision here will give you the narrowest scar. If you are planning on rotating the tip of the nose upwards however (common in many rhinoplasty's), then a mid columellar scar may become more noticeable. In... more

Open rhinoplasty incision

Mid-columellar incision is probably the most common, although incision at the base is also an acceptable option. Base incision may actually hide the scar better than mid-columellar incision (although the scar is rarely an issue), but it creates a longer skin flap to elevate and to keep viable. Your lip tension is not due to the incision, but lileky is due to other things that were done during the surgery, such as changes in your tip, swelling, fibrosis, possible graft placement, etc.... more

Columella incision has many options for an open rhinoplasty.

Although the mid-columella is the customary entry point for an open rhinoplasty it is by no means the only choice. It patients with a previous cleft lip repair, there is a scar at the base of the columella that is conveniently used for access. In time, your scar will be almost invisible and will cause no functional problems.