Shortening Nose Length During Rhinoplasty

The nose can be shortened by reducing the lower lateral cartilages and trimming the end of the septum. It may also help to support the tip of the nose.
However, if too much skin is present, the degree of shortening will be limited by the amount of skin present.
An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon can go over what is realistic with your particular situation.

The length of your nose is affected by the position of your septum, and the configuration of your tip cartilages. If you have a long nose and a droopy tip, you might benefit from a trim of your caudal (lower) septum, along with repositioning of the medial crurae of your lower lateral cartilages.
You should consult several board-certified, experienced Rhinoplasty specialists with many favorable photos before you proceed. Shortening a long nose is one of the more common conditions improved by Rhinoplasty Surgery, but the experience of your surgeon is most important.
I hope this is helpful for you.

A long nose is usually caused by a long nasal septum which defines the the bridge to nasal tip dimension, as well as the length and size of the tip cartilages called the lower lateral cartilages. Sometimes one or the other or both is the problem.
To shorten the nasal septum an internal nasal incision is made along the edge of the nasal septum where it can be shortened by removing some of this cartilage. There are a variety of maneuvers to change the length of the nasal tip cartilages; one commonly performed is removing a section of the nasal tip cartilages and overlapping the cartilage and suturing it back together. This is called a lower lateral cartilage overlay.
These are two common examples but there are many other maneuvers. These can be performed in both closed and open rhinoplasty. I prefer a closed approach when possible.

The usual way this is done is by removing part of the septum and trimming the cartilages of the tip. You should see an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon and discuss with him what are the goals you would like to accomplish. See live patients where he has done this.

The technique used to shorten a nose really depends on the cause. A long nose may be from a long septum, a hanging tip or some combination. Other causes can be excessively wide or long areas of the nasal tip cartilage and even bony overgrowth of what is called the nasal spine. So, the treatment really depends on the cause. You may need shortening of the septum, raising up the tip by pushing it upward, rotating it or even cutting and repositioning the tip cartilages. What is best for you can be determined at the time of consultation with a rhinoplasty expert.

Hi Michael,Unfortunately, the nose can't be thrown into a washing machine and dryer to shrink like a new pair of jeans. Fortunately there are many maneuvers available during rhinoplasty that an experienced and skilled surgeon can carry out to shorten a long nose.Choose your rhinoplasty surgeon most carefully.Good luck and be well.Dr. P

There are several techniques available to shorten the length of the nose during a rhinoplasty procedure. Some are as simple as decreasing the length of the caudal septum at the end or reducing the medial crura which support the tip. Other options including rotating the tip upward which will give the illusion of a shorter nose and also taking down the profile can shorten the nose when done in conjunction with other procedures. It is best to see an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon before you proceed. I hope this information helps.

The length of the nose generally refers to measured distance from the bridge (radix) to the tip. In this sense, the length of the nose can be dicreased by rotating the tip upwards. This can be accomplished via different internal procedures on the cartilage. The skin will shrink accordingly.

Before answering this question I would like to define the term "length" as it relates to the nasal dimensions. When I refer to the length of the nose, I refer to the distance between the tip of the nose and the origin of the nose close to the eyebrows. An upturned nose will appear shorter than a downturned, hooked nose.
The distance that the tip of the nose extends out from the face, away from the lower lip, as viewed on profile is called “projection”. Many times we need to increase projection and decrease the length of the nose. This would be with a hooked nose where the tip extends down towards the upper lip.
Most of the work involved in changing the length of the nose has to do with cartilaginous changes, both of the septum which give support to the cartilaginous lower part of the nasal bridge as well as the lower lateral cartilages that form the shape and substance of the tip of the nose. If the bony part of the dorsum, higher up, has appropriate dimensions there may be no need for bony work. This minimizing postoperative bruising.

Shortening the length of the nose can be performed through a rhinoplasty by reducing the caudal length of the septum, which alters both the shortness and the nasofacial angle.
Additionally, upward rotation can be achieved through a combination of tip techniques including structural cartilage grafting and sewing the tip cartilages together with dome-binding suture. Further upward rotation and shortening of the nose can be done with a cartilaginous strip graft.