Does performing alar base reduction on its own reduce height of the nose?

Question

I'm curious, does performing alar base reduction on its own can reduce height of the nose? (That is nose height from skin to outward of your face, how to explain- basically the height you see from your profile). Hope I'm making sense. Would it cause your straight side profile to become not straight anymore? Also does alarplasty on its own cause tip to become bulbous? Thanks.

Aytekin Uzer, MD · Answer

Alar base surgery can help the alar base appear narrower when viewed from the front, below, and above. However, the main factor that adjusts the height of the nose in the side view is the height of the alar cartilage. In rhinoplasty, the nose height is adjusted mainly by interventions to the alar cartilage.

Charles East, MBBS, FRCS · Answer

Hi,Thanks for asking.Alar base repair alone will not impact on the height of a nose or change the shape of the tip- it is done to improve either nostril shape or flare of the nostrils or both of these. it can narrow the base of a nose and is one way to to reduce dynamic narrowing- especially when smiling. if it is perfomed without tip adjustment, then the tip relatively may appear more bulbous.Hope this helps.

Yannis Alexandrides, MD, FACS · Answer

The answer to your question is no, usually not, because the height of the nose is controlled by septum height and by the height of the inner part of the lower lateral cartilages. It is very rare that Alar Base Reduction alone, even in the vertical direction would achieve significant tip height reduction. 
The alar base reduction wouldn't usually have an impact on the look of your side profile, as this shouldn't have any effect on the dorsum. 
This surgery won't cause the tip to become bulbous, however, if a patient has a bulbous tip and wide alar base, then if they undergo a reduction of the base, the tip might look more bulbous than before.

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

Alar base reduction will narrow excessive width of the nostrils and correct any flaring. It does not reduce the height or projection of the tip of the nose.

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

Does Alar base reduction reduce the projection of the nose or make the tip more bulbs? The forward projection of the tip of the nose is supported by the columella, which is the strut between the two nostrils along with the remaining tip Cartlidge or by the nasal septum, or by some combination of these. This support varies from one nose to the next. The alar base does not support the forward projection of the tip of the nose, therefore an alar base reduction does not reduce that projection.Alar base reduction reduces the width of the nostrils where they attach to the face, and do not make the nasal tip more bulbous. However since the tip and alar bass form a pyramid narrowing the base of the pyramid may make the tip look relatively wider , But this is just a relative appearance not an actual change in width.

Cemal Haci, MD · Answer

There are many types of alar base procedures. It can reduce the part we call projection by 1 or 2 mm, it provides a narrowing of 1-2 mm from the sides in the same way, this surgery is actually one of the local flap surgeries. Nostril is particularly effective for reducing its size. should be done about other height and narrowing, but nose surgery should be seen as a complement to a whole. When done alone, its effect will be insufficient.Cemal HACI, MD ENT based Facial Plastic Surgeon

Jeffrey C. Hamm, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
Removal of a wedge shaped full thickness segment of nostril base at the alar crease will not decrease nasal tip projection, which is maintained by the septum and alar cartilages. Removal of a segment of alar cartilage may lower tip projection and is accomplished with this in mind.
Nothing is added to the nasal tip during alarplasty (unless required in specific circumstances) to create bulbousness. However, postoperative swelling is often paramount at the nasal tip which may last for up to a year or more. 
Visit a board certified plastic surgeon for evaluation, examination, and discussion.
Best wishes...

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