Nose is collapsed on one side. How can I fix it?

It would be very difficult to comment on this case without any pictures. The most common cause for asymmetry of the columella is deviation of the nasal septum. The caudal (lower) portion of the septum has an intimate relationship with soft tissue of the columella and if significantly deviated , it can shift the columella with it. The definitive diagnosis can be made by palpation during a physical exam.

Septorhinoplasty for the deviated nose and septum. This surgery is what I think you need. I need photos or an examination to give a proper answer. See a very experienced rhinoplasty surgeon who can show you many noses like yours he has done. 

Without seeing the nose and actually examining the nose, diagnosis and treatment options would be impossible. There are many cause for these issues and usually demand strengthening the nasal structural framework with cartilage grafts. You need to consult with an experienced expert in rhinoplasty.

This can have a number of different causes.  The most common is a soft or crooked columella.  A columella strut may be useful, but you will also have to look and make sure the septum is straight and the alar rim is strong enough.  Get a consult with an experienced nose surgeon.  This is a complex problem. 

Thank you for your question. It is somewhat difficult to make any strong opinions without photos or an in person examination. Straightening the columella is a common objective in many rhinoplasty procedures and we have good techniques to address the issue. There are also other reasons why the nose can look different on one side which is why a consultation is very helpful. Best wishes. 

A closed rhinoplasty procedure can accomplish  straightening the crooked nose with all of the incisions placed on the inside of the nose. No external incisions are required. This is accomplished with osteotomies placed in the nasal bones to straighten them. A spreader graft is placed underneath the concave upper lateral cartilage in the midportion of the nose to straighten that area and address the collapsing of the sidewall. To straighten the columella requires a columella-plasty. For many examples of crooked nose repair in our practice, please see the link and the video below

Every nose is different and unique to that individual. If the appearance of your nose concerns you enough to do something about it, it can be improved with a natural artistically performed rhinoplasty. What would be the best option and exact procedure would depend on an in person examination (not just an online consultation) and discussion about desired outcome. Excellent results can be achieved with either a closed or open technique.


Keep in mind that following advice from a surgeon on this or any other website who proposes to tell you exactly what to do and how technically to do it without examining you, physically feeling your tissue, assessing your desired outcome, taking a full medical history and discussing the pros and cons of the operative procedure would not be in your best interest. Natural appearing results need to be individualized and what is appropriate for one patient is not necessarily the best for someone else. I would suggest that you find a surgeon with extensive rhinoplasty experience certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and one who is ideally a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.


Robert Singer, M.D., FACS 


La Jolla, California

Straightening the nose can range widely in complexity.  It would be helpful if you could post some pictures.  Also, direct communication would answer some important questions, such as: Has your nose always been collapsed?  Have you sustained any trauma to the nose?  These are two important questions to address among others.  
Straightening the columella will depend on what is causing it to be deviated.  It could be caused by the shape or alignment of your the medial crura of your lower lateral cartilages, or it could be due to deviation of your septum.  These are just two of many possibilities that could be causing deviation of your nose.
I recommend discussing this with a plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty, either in person or via a video consultation.  

Thank you for the question and I would go on some complimentary consultations with experts and compare recommendations and look at photos of similar patients and find your surgeon Dr Corbin

Dear Britt, It sounds like you may be a candidate for a septorhinoplasty to address your current concerns with a crooked nose. Generally the crooked columella is caused from the underlying issues with a deviated septum. An in office evaluation and intra-nasal examination would determine the proper diagnosis and a surgical plan could then be put into place. See many examples of septorhinoplasty before and after procedures in the link below. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.