Case at a glance
- Concerns & goals
- Previous treatment
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[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
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
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
Frontal View – Sharper tip, balanced alar base, corrected asymmetry
Side View – Lower, natural starting point, visible columella, straight profile
Oblique View – Smooth contour, no implant irregularities
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
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.
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