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What would you recommend to fix my hanging columella?

Hello. My columella is hanging and nostrils are very big. I would like to fix it. When i touch my columella, its soft. I can push it in the right place but when i do it, my upper lip lifts too. So my question is, if i get columella lift, my upper lip lift too?

Doctor Answers 7

Hanging Columella

April 14th, 2015
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A hanging columella can be caused by one or more common anatomic variations including an over-developed nasal septum, weak or bowed mesial crura, redundancy of the membranous septum, long or plunging lateral crura, and true nostril retraction. Happily, it is possible to surgically correct a hanging columella without changing the position of the upper lip. Wide or excessive nostrils can also be narrowed during the same procedure. Best of luck.

Web reference: http://ridenourplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/Facial-Cosmetic-Surgical-Procedures/Nasal-Surgery-Rhinoplasty

Brock Ridenour, MD


Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 123 reviews

April 14th, 2015

Hanging Columella

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

A hanging columella can be caused by one or more common anatomic variations including an over-developed nasal septum, weak or bowed mesial crura, redundancy of the membranous septum, long or plunging lateral crura, and true nostril retraction. Happily, it is possible to surgically correct a hanging columella without changing the position of the upper lip. Wide or excessive nostrils can also be narrowed during the same procedure. Best of luck.

Learn more: http://ridenourplasticsurgery.com/Procedures/Facial-Cosmetic-Surgical-Procedures/Nasal-Surgery-Rhinoplasty

Brock Ridenour, MD


Saint Louis Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 123 reviews

Correcting A Hanging Columella

May 1st, 2015
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 There are multiple different ways to correct a hanging columella. This will depend on the cause, which will range from a long caudal septum to a wide or displaced medial crura. This should be done as part of an  open rhinoplasty in the hands of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or ENT with significant Expertise in Rhinoplasty.
Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 67 reviews

May 1st, 2015

Correcting A Hanging Columella

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
 There are multiple different ways to correct a hanging columella. This will depend on the cause, which will range from a long caudal septum to a wide or displaced medial crura. This should be done as part of an  open rhinoplasty in the hands of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or ENT with significant Expertise in Rhinoplasty.

Rod J. Rohrich, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Fixing a Hanging Columella

April 14th, 2015
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It is impossible to answer your question without pictures but a hanging columella can be lifted and wide nostrils can be narrowed.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 reviews

April 14th, 2015

Fixing a Hanging Columella

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
It is impossible to answer your question without pictures but a hanging columella can be lifted and wide nostrils can be narrowed.
Richard W. Fleming, MD

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 reviews

Columella issue

April 14th, 2015
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Without seeing photos, it is difficult to say what could be done for your columella.  Best to be seen in person.

Web reference: http://www.stevenwallachmd.com/procedures/rhinoplasty-new-york/

Steven Wallach, MD
April 14th, 2015

Columella issue

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Without seeing photos, it is difficult to say what could be done for your columella.  Best to be seen in person.

Learn more: http://www.stevenwallachmd.com/procedures/rhinoplasty-new-york/

Steven Wallach, MD

Correct Hanging Columella During Rhinoplasty

April 14th, 2015
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The columella is composed of cartilage, tissue and skin.  It can "hang" or droop from a variety of reasons:

1)  The septal cartilage is large pushing the columella down
2)  The cartilage in the columella is weak, floppy, wide or overly curved

You can tell the cause by pushing on the columella.  If it stops on the hard septum then the septum is pushing the columella downward.  If you can push up the columella in the correct location, then the cartilage in the columella need to be corrected.  

There are many ways to correct a hanging columella.  If the septum is too large, then it will need to be made smaller.  Wide columellar cartilages would need to be trimmed.  One of my perferred method to improve a hanging columella during a rhinoplasty is a tongue and groove technique where the cartilage of the columella is anchored to the septum to pull up the columella.

Correcting the columella should not effect the upper lip.

I hope this helps.  

Web reference: http://www.carolinafacialplasticsurgery.com/surgical-procedures/rhinoplasty/

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD
April 14th, 2015

Correct Hanging Columella During Rhinoplasty

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
The columella is composed of cartilage, tissue and skin.  It can "hang" or droop from a variety of reasons:

1)  The septal cartilage is large pushing the columella down
2)  The cartilage in the columella is weak, floppy, wide or overly curved

You can tell the cause by pushing on the columella.  If it stops on the hard septum then the septum is pushing the columella downward.  If you can push up the columella in the correct location, then the cartilage in the columella need to be corrected.  

There are many ways to correct a hanging columella.  If the septum is too large, then it will need to be made smaller.  Wide columellar cartilages would need to be trimmed.  One of my perferred method to improve a hanging columella during a rhinoplasty is a tongue and groove technique where the cartilage of the columella is anchored to the septum to pull up the columella.

Correcting the columella should not effect the upper lip.

I hope this helps.  

Learn more: http://www.carolinafacialplasticsurgery.com/surgical-procedures/rhinoplasty/

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD

Fixing a hanging columella

April 14th, 2015
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Fixing a hanging columella is treated by removal of skin and cartilage from the base of the nose.  Two incisions are made on the inside of the nose along the columella and the  excess skin and cartilage is removed. This is usually performed under a brief general anesthetic for patient safety and comfort. For many examples, please see  the link and the video below

Web reference: http://www.seattlefacial.com/progallery/columellary_photos05.html

William Portuese, MD
April 14th, 2015

Fixing a hanging columella

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Fixing a hanging columella is treated by removal of skin and cartilage from the base of the nose.  Two incisions are made on the inside of the nose along the columella and the  excess skin and cartilage is removed. This is usually performed under a brief general anesthetic for patient safety and comfort. For many examples, please see  the link and the video below

Learn more: http://www.seattlefacial.com/progallery/columellary_photos05.html

William Portuese, MD

Hanging columella

April 14th, 2015
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Simply lifting the columella with a tongue-in-groove technique should not affect the upper lip. The best course of action is to schedule a consultation with a rhinoplasty specialist to get a thorough examination and determine the best treatment for your nose. This will also help you better understand the procedure and clarify expectations. 
Michael T. Somenek, MD

Michael T. Somenek, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 36 reviews

April 14th, 2015

Hanging columella

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Simply lifting the columella with a tongue-in-groove technique should not affect the upper lip. The best course of action is to schedule a consultation with a rhinoplasty specialist to get a thorough examination and determine the best treatment for your nose. This will also help you better understand the procedure and clarify expectations. 

Michael T. Somenek, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.