Ask a doctor

Painful nostril and deformed alar region. 6 months PO revision rhino, is this exposed cartilage? (Photo)

  • KAPM
  • England, AR
  • 3 years ago
Internal and external pain still even though no more drainage from bad infection that lasted 4 months around septal alar rim graft. red lump, inflammation still on skin outside of nose and internally rawness. Do I have exposed cartilage and should it be trimmed away? Surgeon too far away, due to see another surgeon close to home. Does trimming exposed cartilage help with pain? This area looked fine before surgery so I'm very upset!

Doctor Answers 3

August 7th, 2015

Pain after Alar Rim graft and infection

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
The photos you provided do not appear to show cartilage extrusion. I don't see any redness in particular but you do have a tick webbed scar which could be the source of irritation and discomfort.
Eugene L. Alford, MD


Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 7 reviews

March 7th, 2014

Dr. Jeffrey Epstein Answer

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
It is difficult to diagnose without seeing you, but it sounds like exposed rim cartilage that usually heals up eventually. Something to discuss with your doctor is possible having the graft removed, letting it heal up, then consider having it replaced.

Learn more: http://www.southfloridarhinoplasty.com/aboutrevisionrhinoplasty.asp

Jeffrey Epstein, MD, FACS
February 19th, 2014

Infection after nose grafts

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
This is a very difficult problem that needs a face-to-face evaluation to advise you.
It isn't clear from the photos if the problem is infection, exposed cartilage, swelling or distortion from nasal tip sutures. 
Elizabeth Morgan, MD, PhD

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.