Crooked Columella After Rhinoplasty

Question

It has been over 8 months since my open rhinoplasty. I am left with this. What happened? Can I possibly fix this assymetry? My doctor kept saying it's swelling and to massage it. It's hard and a little numb one the right side.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

The cartilages that make up the columella are the medial crura.  It looks like you may have a deformity of these cartilages after manipulating them with sutures or excision.  Discuss with your surgeon for any need for revision.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

I read your concern and reviewed the up-close photos of your nose. On your front view, the right side of your columella hangs a bit lower than your left. In my view, you should reserve revision rhinoplasty surgery as a last resort.

	You may be able to have restoration of symmetry by adding a small amount of volume to the left side of your columella. In my practice, I prefer Silikon-1000, an off-label filler for permanent results.

	I hope this is helpful for you.

	Regards from NJ.

Amy T. Bandy, DO, FACS · Answer

It appears that your nose was deviated before surgery; this could be from a deviated nasal septum.  The septum may or may not have been worked on, but often times if it is not, the deviation becomes more apparent.  Ask your doctor if septal work was performed.  You may need a revision, but best to wait a year until the nose is soft before performing any additional surgery.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

A crooked columella after rhinoplasty could be due to a septal deviation, a malpositioned columellar strut graft or even tip cartilages that have twisted with scarring or initial placement. Now that it is nearly nine months after your initial surgery, it is unlikely that major resolution or improvement is going to be seen with more time. This would indicate that revision for improvement will be needed. At this point waiting until a full year surgery before revision is not much longer. Go back at one year and discuss with your plastic surgeon your concerns and hear what he/she has to say. If not happy with those answers, it is time to get a second opinion.

Sumit Bapna, MD · Answer

It would be important to evaluate the base view of your nose to see if there is true deflection of your caudal septum and asymmetry of your nostrils. If the caudal septum is deviated this could be corrected with a revision surgery, perhaps in a closed manner. Also, the firmness should resolve over the next few months.

Crooked Columella After Rhinoplasty

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Answer: Crooked Columella May Require Revisional Rhinoplasty

Answer: Crooked Columella May Require Revisional Rhinoplasty

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Crooked Columella After Rhinoplasty

Answers (9)

Answer: Crooked Columella May Require Revisional Rhinoplasty

Answer: Crooked Columella May Require Revisional Rhinoplasty

Answer: Crooked Columella

Answer: Crooked Columella

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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