Is alar base reduction possible without a full rhinoplasty?

Question

I've been thinking of a rhinoplasty a couple of years now. The nose I wide, specially at the bottom which is the part I don't like at all. My question is can somebody have an alar base reduction without having a full rhinoplasty?

Jeffrey B. Wise, MD, FACS · Answer

Alar base reduction by itself is an excellent procedure for the right candidate.  It is best suited for a patient with an isolated widening of the bottom / nostril area of the nose.  The advantage of this procedure is less expense to the patient and that it can be performed in an office-based procedure room, rather than in a general anesthesia setting.I have performed thousands of these in conjunction with rhinoplasty and as stand-alone procedures, as well.Best of luck!

Justin C. Cohen, MD, FACS · Answer

Absolutely! This is extremely common and can sometimes even be done under local anesthesia. However, I would recommend consulting with a rhinoplasty expert to see if this is really all you need. Good luck!

Robert Morin, MD, FACS · Answer

Anything is possible - the important question is - is it a good idea? Alar base reduction is often an important part of a complete rhinoplasty. The goal of any rhinoplasty is to maintain facial proportions and to create an aesthetically pleasing and harmonious nose. While there may be times when an alar base reduction is all that is required, more often, additional surgical maneuvers will be necessary in order to created the desired result.

Alar base reduction is more complicated than one may think. If it is not performed correctly, scars may be visible and the nostril sil contour can be compromised. Make sure you see a highly experienced rhinoplasty surgeon for an in person consultation.

Alar base reduction is more complicated than one may think. If it is not performed correctly, scars may be visible and the nostril sil contour can be compromised. Make sure you see a highly experienced rhinoplasty surgeon for an in person consultation.

Curtis Perry, MD · Answer

While alar base reduction is usually performed along with other rhinoplasty maneuvers for the right individual the answer is yes, it can be done alone.

Ian MacArthur, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is certainly possible to perform an alar base reduction without performing a full rhinoplasty. Depending on the appearance of your nose however, it may require more surgery than an alar base reduction alone. My suggestion would be to schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss your treatment goals. All the best.

Ivo Gwanmesia, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Thank you for your very important question.The nose as you know is divided into thirds, upper, middle and lower. All of these parts remain connected through connective tissue. In order to achieve balance and harmony, operating on one part would require adjustments in the other parts. I would agree with my colleague who says the goal of any rhinoplasty is to maintain facial proportions and to create an aesthetically pleasing and harmonious nose. My views therefore are that if you are having an alar base reduction, then it is more than likely that you would require adjustments in the other 2 parts of the nose.Hope my answer helps.

Michael Bassiri-Tehrani, MD · Answer

Alar base reduction is a powerful tool to narrow a wide nasal base. There are many techniques that need to be tailored to individual patient nasal shapes. It is a procedure that can be done under local anesthesia awake. Becuse it is a procedure that can be done later, alar base excisions are sometimes not done at the time of original surgery. While it easy to remove the tissue, there are no great options to replace it. Thats why when done, every step must be meticulously measured to prevent asymmetry and the amout of skin removed should be conservative.

Javier Galindo, MD · Answer

Sure you can have alar base surgery alone, but probably the result will be less than ideal. The different parts of the nose need to be balanced to achieve aesthetic results, so a full rhinoplasty is most of the times the right thing to do.

Jon A. Perlman, MD (retired) · Answer

Though there are patients who need only alar base reduction of their nostrils, most patients should also be evaluated for refinement of the other regions of the nose. In the end it will be your decision but I think you should hear recommendations from experts with years of experience to make the best decision. Regards,

Jon A Perlman MD FACS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Extreme Makeover Surgeon ABC TV

Best of Los Angeles Award 2015, 2016

Beverly Hills, Ca

Jon A Perlman MD FACS

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery

Extreme Makeover Surgeon ABC TV

Best of Los Angeles Award 2015, 2016

Beverly Hills, Ca

Is alar base reduction possible without a full rhinoplasty?

Answers (9)

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