Is the depressor septi muscle is always cut during a rhinoplasty?

The depressor septi muscle may lead to nasal tip drooping, especially with smiling. Rhinoplasty surgery involves reconstruction of the cartilaginous skeleton of your nasal tip so it doesn't look droopy. We don't cut this muscle in anyone. My concern is that it may lead to an unusual or different smile after surgery. Great question! Dr Joseph

Different surgeons have different techniques. Personally I don’t do anything with the depressor muscle and think it’s importance is overrated.

Is the depressor septi muscle always cut during rhinoplasty? no, it is usually not cut. Cutting the muscle may lead to the appearance of an elongated upper lip and an inability to show enough teeth when smiling. The muscle is often weakened in the early weeks and months after rhinoplasty which may create this effect in the short run and then resolve after a few weeks or months. In rare cases where the upper lip is already short and “tethered“ to the nose and the smile is to “Gummy”cutting the muscle may be desirable.

Thanks for your question. This muscle is not always divided during a rhinoplasty. Things would depend on the surgeon, but I personally only divide this muscle if the patient complains that their nose lowers when they smile. All the best.

In our practice, the depressor septi ligament is only cut when patients have a dynamic droopy tip. Releasing the ligament just prevents the tip from drooping when smiling.