Is it possible to reverse an alar base reduction?

Is there a way to reverse an alar base reduction, or nostril reduction, once it's been performed?

I am very happy with one side, the side that needed reduction, but the other side really didn't need anything done to it, but it was also reduced.

The result is my left nostril has no base left, leaving it looking strikingly different than the other side and is just very unnatural in appearance. I have read this is very difficult to reverse once it has been performed. I would like to know if it can be fixed, and, if so, how is it done.

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9 answers to “Is it possible to reverse an alar...”

A: Alar base reduction reversals are possible

William Portuese, MD

Alar base reduction is performed to reduce a wide nasal base. If you have already had this done and it has completely obliterated that space, it is very difficult to bring in other skin. It can be performed; however, the skin has to be brought in from another location such as a flap or a graft, which will... more

A: Alar base reduction and its reversal.

Stella Desyatnikova, MD

 It is very difficult to reverse the reduction once it is done. Depending on what you have now, it might be possible to put a combined skin and cartilage graft or do some local tissue rearrangement to increase the deformed side.  I would caution you that it will be extremely difficult to achieve... more

A: Alar base reduction reversal

Steven Wallach, MD

Once an alar base reduction is performed it is extremely difficult to reconstruct the lost tissue and restore the original appearance. The magnitude of recontructing this would be like those that are performed for skin cancer patients. The scars are not great.

A: It is possible.

Toby G. Mayer, MD

 It depends on the surgeon and how much is left of the alar floor. One would have to see it to make any opinion. See an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who deals with many revisions.

A: Revision Rhinoplasty - Alar Base Resection

Vincent P. Marin, MD

An alar base resection is performed by removing tissue at the area of the nose where the nostril meets the cheek.  This is a relatively simple procedure if performed properly and with attention to the preexisting asymmetries that nearly every nose demonstrates. Certain anatomic boundaries need to be... more

A: Maybe

William B. Rosenblatt, MD

Can not tell without seeing you. It may be possible to fix it a little but it can not be reversed. Once the skin is gone it is gone.

A: Alar Base Reduction Reversal

Michael A. Persky, MD

Sorry to hear about your asymmetry.  I have not either seen or heard of reversal of alar base reduction.  It is a very difficult to reverse, emphasizing the importance of doing it correctly the first time around. There are a few surgeons who a very skilled at complete nasal reconstruction, Gary... more

A: Alar base reduction reversal is complicated.

Marcus L. Peterson, MD

When the alar base is reduced it requires removal of tissue.  If you want to reverse this procedure you will need to add some tissue back by way of a skin graft.  This is something that would have to be seen  to make a definite plan.  Putting a skin graft back in this location is possible... more

A: Reversal for alar base reduction

Robert M. Freund, MD

Alar base reversal can be done by taking a piece of skin from outside the alar rim , on the cheek and move that into the space where the rim use to be. The rime then fills the defect of the flap of tissue.  On the plus side, the rim is wider. On the negative, scars can be bad!

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