I had rhinoplasty done back in 2000. I had a bump on my nose that was fixed. The surgeon did a minor refinement on my tip. He also lifted the angle of nose a little bit. I dont like the fact that i have one nostril bigger than the other. The surgeon didnt touch my nostrils. Is it possible to make the bigger nostril match the smaller one? Is this fixable?
August 6, 2018
Answer: Revision rhinoplasty for uneven nostrils It is not uncommon to deal with issue nostril asymmetry during a revision rhinoplasty. It many such cases the asymmetry can be related to deviations of the tip or bottom part of the nasal septum, obviously treatment which can address or improve unevenness of the nostrils. In some other cases there are issues with contraction of the lining of the nose, or unfavorable healing of the suture lines during the initial surgery. In any of the above cases there are standard and advanced techniques to address the particular case. On picture shown above I do appreciate deviation of the bottom part of the septum which contributes to the asymmetry, and possibly some mucosal irregularity or contraction the right side. Revision rhinoplasty by an experienced nasal surgeon can bring significant improvement as far as this type of asymmetry, but you need to keep in mind that achieving absolute symmetry is almost impossible in rhinoplasty and your goals from such surgery should be realistic.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
August 6, 2018
Answer: Revision rhinoplasty for uneven nostrils It is not uncommon to deal with issue nostril asymmetry during a revision rhinoplasty. It many such cases the asymmetry can be related to deviations of the tip or bottom part of the nasal septum, obviously treatment which can address or improve unevenness of the nostrils. In some other cases there are issues with contraction of the lining of the nose, or unfavorable healing of the suture lines during the initial surgery. In any of the above cases there are standard and advanced techniques to address the particular case. On picture shown above I do appreciate deviation of the bottom part of the septum which contributes to the asymmetry, and possibly some mucosal irregularity or contraction the right side. Revision rhinoplasty by an experienced nasal surgeon can bring significant improvement as far as this type of asymmetry, but you need to keep in mind that achieving absolute symmetry is almost impossible in rhinoplasty and your goals from such surgery should be realistic.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
January 7, 2015
Answer: Nostril and tip Refinement in Secondary Revisional Rhinoplasty Unfortunately you are in good company. Most rhinoplasty patients out there are very unhappy with their results in 1-2 years. The explanation for this is very simple: Most surgeons performing rhinoplasty do not have advanced training or experience, they perform the rhinoplasty of 50 years ago. Decades ago thought process of rhinoplasty was to remove cartilage to refine the shape of the nose and perform it through an open approach. An open approach makes it easy for neophyte surgeons to access visualize and manipulate the structures but also unnecessarily destroys two arteries and veins that are important for nasal vascularity. The open approach thus ensures that patients have 1-2 years of risidual swelling which hides the final result. Most rhinoplasties out there I consider cartilage robbing thus when the swlling resolves there is inadequate structure to provide aesthetic appearance and fight the cicatriacial forces or the continued scarring that results from the lowered oxygen tension and fibrosis of tissues. One additional problem it that most rhinoplasty surgeons out there inadvertently break the connection between the bony nose and the cartilagenous nose. this can cause irregular narrowing and what we calll "the inverted V deformity" which means the outline of the nasal bone becomes visible through the skin particularly in flash photography under certain lighting conditions.In my opinion, an expert level rhinoplasty is always performed in a closed technique and ALWAYS involves grafting to add to the structural integrity of the nose. The act of opening the nose even under the closed technique causes healing and some contraction, thus for a long term beautiful result the nose must be left more structurally sound than it was found. This is missed upon most rhinoplasty surgeons. In secondary cases such as yours it is even more crucial that sound grafting techniques are used. It sounds like at a minimum you will needa columellar strut but a complete L-strut and alar strut. I Definitely do not consider any rhinoplasty procedure that does not include grafting preferably by an experienced Plastic and reconstructive training with ddition fellowship level craniofacial and aesthetic training. Of course this is my bias because it is my training but I think this level of training is very necessary for success in secondary and tertiary rhinoplasty because there is delicate nuance involved and every patient requires different maneuvers. I hope this helps!All the best,Rian A. Maercks M.D.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
January 7, 2015
Answer: Nostril and tip Refinement in Secondary Revisional Rhinoplasty Unfortunately you are in good company. Most rhinoplasty patients out there are very unhappy with their results in 1-2 years. The explanation for this is very simple: Most surgeons performing rhinoplasty do not have advanced training or experience, they perform the rhinoplasty of 50 years ago. Decades ago thought process of rhinoplasty was to remove cartilage to refine the shape of the nose and perform it through an open approach. An open approach makes it easy for neophyte surgeons to access visualize and manipulate the structures but also unnecessarily destroys two arteries and veins that are important for nasal vascularity. The open approach thus ensures that patients have 1-2 years of risidual swelling which hides the final result. Most rhinoplasties out there I consider cartilage robbing thus when the swlling resolves there is inadequate structure to provide aesthetic appearance and fight the cicatriacial forces or the continued scarring that results from the lowered oxygen tension and fibrosis of tissues. One additional problem it that most rhinoplasty surgeons out there inadvertently break the connection between the bony nose and the cartilagenous nose. this can cause irregular narrowing and what we calll "the inverted V deformity" which means the outline of the nasal bone becomes visible through the skin particularly in flash photography under certain lighting conditions.In my opinion, an expert level rhinoplasty is always performed in a closed technique and ALWAYS involves grafting to add to the structural integrity of the nose. The act of opening the nose even under the closed technique causes healing and some contraction, thus for a long term beautiful result the nose must be left more structurally sound than it was found. This is missed upon most rhinoplasty surgeons. In secondary cases such as yours it is even more crucial that sound grafting techniques are used. It sounds like at a minimum you will needa columellar strut but a complete L-strut and alar strut. I Definitely do not consider any rhinoplasty procedure that does not include grafting preferably by an experienced Plastic and reconstructive training with ddition fellowship level craniofacial and aesthetic training. Of course this is my bias because it is my training but I think this level of training is very necessary for success in secondary and tertiary rhinoplasty because there is delicate nuance involved and every patient requires different maneuvers. I hope this helps!All the best,Rian A. Maercks M.D.
Helpful 2 people found this helpful
June 12, 2011
Answer: Uneven nostrils
Your nostril asymmetry is at least in part due to a deviated columella +/- septum - there is also possible intrinsic asymmetry which contouring and grafting can improve
Helpful
June 12, 2011
Answer: Uneven nostrils
Your nostril asymmetry is at least in part due to a deviated columella +/- septum - there is also possible intrinsic asymmetry which contouring and grafting can improve
Helpful