Am I a Good Candidate for Alarplasty? (Photo)

Question

Hi I went to see two surgeons . One of them said he could remove 3 mm of tissue from each nostril; another one said 5 mm can be removed from each. My concern is (since I have frequent sinus and have breathing issue all the time )my nostrils will be over trimmed and will face breathing issue after the procedure .

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. Alarplasty should not have a perceptible impact on nasal breathing, but if it is poorly performed or overly aggressive that can certainly occur. It's not just how much tissue is being removed, but the design and location of the incisions are critical for both appearance and function. You may consider seeing a surgeon who can also help you address your functional concerns in addition to performing your alarplasty. 
Best,Dr. Tower

Donald B. Yoo, MD, FACS · Answer

More important than the number associated with the skin excision, whether 3, 4, or 5.125 mm, the aspect that is critically to the optimal result is the design and precise execution of the alar base excision. 3 mm or 5 mm does not mean much as the excision will vary in width along its entire length, and depending on the design could extend up the alar-facial groove and into the nasal sill, or it may not. Choosing the surgeon is most important, not the number you're told.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Can you first determine what the cause of your breathing problems is before undergoing surgery?  Maybe a septoplasty, turbinoplasty, grafts can be done at the same time to help your breathing.  I would recommend being conservative with alar resections.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Based on your frontal photo, you appear to have flaring nostrils. In that regard, Alarplasty the may be considered to decrease the flare. If you have recurrent sinusitis and difficulty breathing through your nose, This may be something that could benefit from a surgical procedure, depending on your examination. If neither surgeon was able to address your functional nasal issues, consider getting another opinion from another reputable rhinoplasty specialist. I hope this is helpful! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I’m assuming that 3 mm is the width of the price to be removed. That’s a pretty good size and I would stick with that. You can always go back and have it reduced further

Tanveer Janjua, MD · Answer

Alarplasty definitely narrows the breathing passages. If you have existing breathing issues , you must address them first. Having said that a conservative alarplasty does not cause a perceptible change in breathing in most cases. 
Regards
Dr. J

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

Can alar plasty cause inlet obstruction? And overly aggressive Alar plasty can narrow the nostrils to such an extent that it causes obstruction at the entrance level. When performing an alarplasty the surgeon must consider not only the size of the nostril but how the internal valve moves in with the nostril as well. Obstruction both at the entrance level and at the level of the valve can be caused by an overly aggressive alar plasty. Therefore this procedure, which is a very good procedure for people with excessively wide nostrils, must be done conservatively with function preservation in mind.

Am I a Good Candidate for Alarplasty? (Photo)

Answers (7)

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