Fast facts

Rhinoplasty


What it is: A plastic surgery procedure to improve the appearance, proportions and structural functionality of the nose.  Rhinoplasty, commonly called a nose job, can enhance facial symmetry and harmony to improve the patient's self-confidence.  Breathing can also be improved as a result.


What it addresses: Specific aspects of the nose, such as:

- Nose size
- Nose width
- Asymmetry
- Nostrils


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Question

Can rhinoplasty enlarge or widen a tiny nostril?

Can rhinoplasty enlarge or widen a tiny nostril? One of my nostril holes is medium and the other is so tiny you can barely see it.


Asked by: Jenpy
California, USA

Answers (2)

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1
July 15, 2008

Can rhinoplasty enlarge or widen a tiny nostril?

Fred Suess, MD
Fred Suess, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon
Answer by Fred Suess, MD

It is possible to enlarge and widen small nostrils. It is not a long operation but it is a delicate one.

It is possible to perform the procedure under local anesthesia with minimal sedation and a short recovery period.

2
July 9, 2008
Manish H. Shah, MD
Manish H. Shah, MD
Board Certified
Plastic Surgeon

As you can imagine, it is easier to reduce the size of a nostril than widen it. That being said, nostril enlargement can be performed but the process by which it happens can depend on the cause of the nostril reduction in size.

If it is related to scar from trauma or surgery, then scar release procedures and tissue grafting will often help. Sometimes a small nostril is really just an unsupported nostril that needs cartilage grafting to support it staying open. If tissue is missing and this is the reason that the nostril is small, then adding tissue back in the form of a composite graft or forehead flap may be necessary.

In the end your surgeon needs to take a good look at the anatomy of your nose to determine what is going on. This will allow them to better decide what procedure will help.

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