Rhinoplasty: Cutting Upper Lip Muscle

asked 11 months ago by freshoutofsurgery
Latest answer by Jerry Lugger, MD
Question viewed 216 times
Tags: cut, muscle, normal, upper lip

For nose lengthening surgery in addition to tip grafting for sharper more projected tip,is it necessary to cut the upper lip muscle? I was always of the impression that if the tip support is done well surgically, and ti p grafts secured in place, there should be no need for it. What is it's purpose

5 answers to Rhinoplasty: Cutting Upper Lip Muscle

Upper lip muscle considerations

Occasionally the depressor needs to be released to correct some abnormalities about the tip, but it is by no means done routinely, as you have noted a well done tip and tip grafting when appropriate are more important.

Jerry Lugger, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Muscle

I cut the depressor muscles of the nasal tip when i get a history of the tip drooping when the patient smiles. however, this should not be done unless tip support has been treated.

David A. Bray, Sr., MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Upper lip muscle

If a closed rhinoplasty is performed it is common to cut the membranous septum down to the maxilla.This incision will cut the orbicularis attachements to the septum. It is a technical detail that is not something that should concern you.I would focus on the quality of your surgeon.

Jay M. Pensler, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurg.org

Cutting upper lip muscles

In general no musculature is cut during rhinoplasty. There are some cases where the nasal tip depresses with lip animation and the depressor septi muscle is treated to decrease this problem. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

A gummy smile and droopy nose - how can it be fixed?

There are many tiny muscles that can alter the shape of the nose and upper lip, especially during animation (i.e. when talking, laughing, or smiling.) There's one pesky muscle in particular, the "depressor septi nasi," that may need to be weakened, moved, or cut during rhinoplasty surgery. "An active depressor septi muscle can accentuate a drooping nasal tip and shorten the upper lip on animation," concludes one important study published in 2000. This basically... more

Ariel N. Rad, MD, PhD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

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