Can the upper lateral cartilages be pulled-up or sutured to make a nose more narrower?

Question

Can the upper lateral cartilages be pulled up or sutured to make a narrower nose? Seems like i have wide cartilages.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

The upper lateral cartilages usually follow the contour of the nasal bones so with an osteotomy and infracture, these usually narrow as well.

Christopher Khorsandi, MD · Answer

You can narrow the nose by narrowing the bones, with that the upper lateral cartilages will narrow to some degree,  You can also reduce the size of the upper lateral cartilages by trimming them.  Suture techniques are not generally used in this area to narrow the nose.

Jonathan Pontell, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question.  Yes, the upper lateral cartilages which make up the middle third of the nose can be narrowed.  This is done by removing a strip of cartilage where the upper lateral cartilages meet the septum and or by doing osteotomies (cuts in the nasal bones) and moving the bones inward which brings the upper lateral cartilages inward as they are attached to the nasal bones.  I would be happy to see you for a consultation with computer imaging to show you what is possible.  Good Luck

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It is very important not to pinch the nose and suturing the upper lateral cartilages is not usually recommend.  A full set of facial photographs required to make a determination about what may be required to narrow the nose

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Usually the middle vault comes in a bit with osteotomies.  Certainly suturing or narrowing the upper laterals a bit may help as well.  Best to be evaluated in person.

Can the upper lateral cartilages be pulled-up or sutured to make a nose more narrower?

Answers (5)

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