I feel my graft move when I pick my nose, is this normal?

Question

Years ago, I had a columella strut graft (made from cadaver cartilage) placed in the tip of my nose in order to increase projection. Recently, I noticed that when I pick my nose, I can feel the graft move. Is this sensation normal? Thanks in advance.

Zachary Farhood, MD · Answer

Yes, this is normal after rhinoplasty. The strut was placed to support your tip and maintain good position. Other than feeling it, it should not cause you any issues.

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @rhal22, thank you for your question. It is normal for the graft to move but it is not normal for it to shift. If the movement does not affect the shape of the nose, if there is no displacement of the graft there is no problem. For more information and recommendations, consult with one or several board certified specialists. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS.

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I’m not surprised you can feel the graft and it moves a bit. As long as it’s not visible and you are happy with your result there is nothing to do.

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

Moving columella strut: when you say you feel the columella strut moving, I’m not sure if you mean it is moving together with the columella as the columella moves back-and-forth, or is it sliding around freely within your columella. if it has some ability to move but still looks good then I don’t see any reason to do anything about it. However if when it moves it creates an asymmetry or an odd appearance, as though it were out of place, then I would show it to your surgeon.

Joseph Shvidler, MD · Answer

Some of the grafts that are placed during a rhinoplasty are extra-anatomical, meaning that they are placed in the areas where there may not  not be any cartilage. Alar batan and rim  grafts are examples of that.  A columelar strut graft is placed in a soft tissue pocket between native lower cartilages. This can make the tip stronger and can increase tip projection, however the tradeoff is that the tip may be stiffer and  columelar strut graft can be palpable. It should however not be visible. If it pokes through the tip of the skin and the bump is visible, it may be too long of out of position and may need to be repositioned or trimmed

I feel my graft move when I pick my nose, is this normal?

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