Columellar Strut - When is It Necessary?

Like with so many things in life, the answer is, "it depends." Tip drop after rhinoplasty can occur with or without the use of a strut graft so using one is no guarantee of a good outcome and struts can have their share of complications, too (over-projection, warping, clicking, widening of the columella, etc.). I don't always use them if I'm stabilizing the tip in other ways, but I do make sure to stabilize the tip one way or another. I usually recommend that patients follow-up with their surgeon regarding these concerns .

Good luck,

--DCP

The columellar strut is one of the most overused and unnecessary things in rhinoplasty. It truly serves no purpose and many surgeons put one in fir no real good reason. Beyond that many columellar struts feel hard and are uncomfortable to the patient and are best off being removed

The columellar strut is a small cartilaginous graft harvested from the inside of the nose and is used to prop up a very droopy nasal tip. It is one small technique in a variety of procedures to try and bolster nasal tip projection and prevent sagging. Not all surgeons will agree on a given nose as to whether or not a columellar strut needs to be placed. Columellar strut does tend to make the tip quite stiff after the surgery. The relaxing of the tip in the downward position varies with each nose and depends on the techniques done at the time of surgery. Sometimes a small touchup can lift the tip up, but it is best to wait at least one year after the initial rhinoplasty.