Corrective Rhinoplasty After Excessive Nostril Reduction in Korea

Corrective Rhinoplasty After Excessive Nostril Reduction in Korea

Hello, this is Dr. Cha-Young Kang, head surgeon at Nose Lab Clinic.

Today, I’d like to share a case of corrective rhinoplasty after nostril reduction, where the patient suffered from severe nasal deformities due to over-aggressive nostril reduction, along with saddle nose and retracted nostrils.

Preoperative design consultation photos: Frontal view, left oblique side view, and left side view.

Patient History and Main Concerns After Nostril Reduction

Surgery Timeline:

• 17 years ago: Autologous rib cartilage + silicone implant

• Feb 2022: Height-enhancing revision

• Oct 2022: Rib cartilage + silicone + nostril reduction surgery

• Late 2022: Contracture deformity onset

• Dec 2023: Philtrum reduction

Main Concerns:

• Severe bilateral nasal obstruction

• Dislike of pointed, overly exposed nostrils

• Desire to maintain nasal height

Preoperative design consultation photos: Right side view, right oblique side view, and nostril view.

Surgical Plan for Corrective Rhinoplasty

1. Stem cell injection therapy (3 sessions pre-surgery)

2. Autologous rib cartilage graft for septal reconstruction

3. Columella lowering for balance

4. Alar cartilage reconstruction surgery

5. Skin-dermal composite grafting inside nostrils

Closed Rhinoplasty with Rib Cartilage and Dermal Graft

• Rib cartilage harvest: Despite severe calcification, usable cartilage was collected from the least affected rib.

• Tip & septal reconstruction: Combined previous rib cartilage with newly harvested rib cartilage to strengthen tip and septum.

• Nasal airflow improvement: Septal reconstruction widened internal passages.

• Alar correction: Pinched alar region corrected with cartilage reconstruction and dermal grafts inside nostrils.

• All procedures performed with a closed rhinoplasty approach, leaving no external scars.

The blue arrow indicates the right rib cartilage that is scheduled for harvesting.

Before-and-After Results of Nostril Reduction Revision

Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

• Frontal View: Pinched nostrils corrected, bulbous tip refined, short-looking nose elongated.

Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

• Oblique View: Overly exposed nostrils improved, natural balance restored.

Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

• Side View: Pinched, upward alar area corrected with smoother profile.

Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

• Nostril View: Nostril asymmetry improved, retracted nostrils rounded and balanced.

  
  

Functional and Aesthetic Outcomes

This case demonstrates how corrective rhinoplasty after nostril reduction can address both functional obstruction and cosmetic deformities:

• Autologous rib cartilage and dermal grafts provided stable reconstruction.

• Contracture and nostril retraction corrected without lowering nasal height.

• Improved breathing and natural appearance achieved through tailored planning.

Conclusion

Severe complications from nostril reduction surgery—such as contracture, saddle nose, and retracted nostrils—require a personalized and staged approach.

At Nose Lab Clinic, we specialize in complex corrective rhinoplasty, focusing on both functionality and natural aesthetics.

This has been Dr. Cha-Young Kang, head surgeon at Nose Lab Clinic.

Nose Lab performs all surgeries using the closed rhinoplasty approach.

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