Columella Correction Using Autologous Rib Cartilage – Real Case of Droopy and Long Nose

noselab
5월 5일
2분 분량

최종 수정일: 9월 25일

Dr. Cha-Young Kang | NOSELAB Clinic

Hello, this is Dr. Cha-Young Kang, Director of NOSELAB Clinic.

Today, I’d like to share the case of a patient who presented with a severely drooping columella and long nose appearance—corrected through reconstructive surgery using autologous rib cartilage.

📍 Patient Background and Surgical History

2019: Autologous rib cartilage + silicone implant rhinoplasty
2024: Ear cartilage + silicone implant revision

Preoperative consultation photos showing a droopy columella and long nose — frontal, left oblique, and left side views before columella correction with autologous rib cartilage. — Preoperative design consultation photos: Frontal view, left oblique side view, and left side view.

Preoperative images showing a droopy columella and long nose — right side, right oblique, and nostril views before corrective rhinoplasty with autologous rib cartilage. — Preoperative design consultation photos: Right side view, right oblique side view, and nostril view.

🔎 Preoperative Analysis – Columella Correction Focus

Frontal View: Severely drooping columella, arrow-shaped tip, asymmetrical nostrils
Side View: Overextended columella, acute nasolabial angle
Nostril View: Deviated and scarred columella

✨ Patient’s Concerns and Desired Outcomes

Correct nostril asymmetry
Improve long, droopy columella
Achieve natural proportions

💉 Columella Correction Surgical Approach

1. Structural Correction

Rib cartilage harvesting
Septal extension to support columella
Alar cartilage repositioning

2. Aesthetic Refinement

Replaced implant
Adjusted nasolabial angle and nasal starting point

✅ Surgical Results After Columella Correction

Realigned, lifted columella
Balanced nostrils
Improved facial harmony

Frontal view comparison of the patient before surgery (left) and immediately after droopy columella and long nose correction with autologous rib cartilage (right). — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

Side view comparison of the patient before surgery (left) and immediately after droopy columella and long nose correction with autologous rib cartilage (right). — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

Oblique side view comparison of the patient before surgery (left) and immediately after droopy columella and long nose correction with autologous rib cartilage (right). — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

Nostril base view comparison before and after surgery: showing correction of nostril asymmetry and drooping columella using autologous rib cartilage. — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

👨‍⚕️ Surgeon’s Commentary – Challenges in Columella Correction

Immediately after surgery: Frontal view, side view, and oblique side view photos.

Immediate postoperative nostril view showing improved symmetry and reduced columellar scar visibility. — Immediately after surgery: Nostril view photos.

This case required precise septal extension and alar adjustment due to the downward tension of the nasal tip and asymmetrical nostrils. Rib cartilage was key to stabilizing and reshaping the columella.

Thank you for reading.

This has been Dr. Cha-Young Kang, Director of NOSELAB Clinic.