Correcting Overly Reduced Alar Base – Achieving Balance After Aggressive Reduction

noselab
1월 16일
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최종 수정일: 9월 26일

[Nose Lab Clinic]

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

Today, I’d like to share a revision rhinoplasty case correcting an overly reduced alar base following multiple nasal surgeries. This case demonstrates how we restored balance, function, and natural aesthetics within significant structural constraints.

1. Surgical History in an Overly Reduced Alar Base Case

10 years ago: Bulbous nose correction, ear cartilage graft, silicone implant
6 years ago: Additional ear cartilage and silicone implant, septoplasty
3 years ago: Rib cartilage graft, silicone implant, aggressive alar base reduction
Previous rhinitis surgery

Before and after revision rhinoplasty for correcting overly reduced alar base – front, side, and oblique views of the patient. — Design Consultation: Frontal View, Left Side View, and Oblique Side View Photos

2. Primary Symptoms & Patient Goals

Severe nasal obstruction, especially on the left
Lower nasal starting point
Correction of short, unnatural nose shape
Natural nasal tip without excessive sharpness
Straight nasal line
Improved symmetry
Lengthened columella for balanced proportions

Design consultation photos – right side view, oblique side view, and nostril view for correcting overly reduced alar base in revision rhinoplasty — Design Consultation: Right Side View, Oblique Side View, and Nostril View Photos

3. Preoperative Analysis of an Overly Reduced Alar Base

Frontal View – Blunt tip, crooked nose, poor definition, unnatural shape
Side View – Lack of columella visibility, blunt tip, poor projection
Oblique View – Prominent implant contours, drooping tip, poor refinement
Nostril View – Severe scarring from previous reduction, asymmetry, reduced nostril size, columella deviation

4. urgical Approach for Correcting an Overly Reduced Alar Base

Structural Reconstruction – Lengthened columella with autologous rib cartilage, balanced nasolabial angle, scar tissue removal, natural tip reconstruction
Tip Refinement – Removal of excess tissue, repositioning alar cartilage for definition and symmetry
Alar Base & Nostril Correction – Restored alar base structure, corrected nostril asymmetry
Functional Improvement – Septoplasty for deviated septum, rhinitis surgery for obstruction relief

5. Postoperative Results

Before and immediately after revision rhinoplasty for correcting overly reduced alar base – frontal view. — Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)

Frontal View – Sharper tip, balanced alar base, corrected asymmetry

Before and immediately after revision rhinoplasty for correcting overly reduced alar base – right side view — Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)

Side View – Lower, natural starting point, visible columella, straight profile

Before and immediately after revision rhinoplasty for correcting overly reduced alar base – oblique side view. — Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)

Oblique View – Smooth contour, no implant irregularities

Before and immediately after revision rhinoplasty for nasal contracture – nostril view showing improved symmetry and internal structure. — Before (Left) / Immediately After (Right)

Nostril View – Balanced nostril size, corrected columella deviation

6. Expert Insights: Why Overly Reduced Alar Base Needs Caution

Irreversibility – Once reduced too much, restoration is challenging and often requires complex reconstruction
Meticulous Planning – Combining autologous tissue with advanced techniques is essential
Prevention First – Only minimal necessary reduction should be performed

Immediately after revision rhinoplasty for nasal contracture – frontal, oblique side, and side views showing enhanced nasal symmetry and contour. — Immediately After Surgery: Frontal, Oblique Side, and Side View Photos

Immediately after revision rhinoplasty – nostril view showing improved symmetry and internal nasal structure after contracture correction — Immediately After Surgery: Nostril View Photos

Closing Thoughts

At Nose Lab Clinic, we aim to achieve the best possible results, even in the most complex revision cases. This case underscores the importance of precise planning and execution when correcting an overly reduced alar base.

Nose Lab Clinic performs all surgeries using a closed rhinoplasty approach.