Collapsed Columella Correction and Drooping Tip Surgery with Rib Cartilage in Korea

noselab
5월 27일
2분 분량

최종 수정일: 9월 25일

Hello, I’m Dr. Cha-Young Kang, Director of Nose Lab Clinic.

Today, I’ll introduce a case of collapsed columella correction and drooping nasal tip surgery using autologous rib cartilage in a patient with severe septal damage.

Preoperative photos of a patient with a collapsed columella and drooping nasal tip: frontal, left oblique, and left side views. — Preoperative design consultation photos: Frontal view, left oblique side view, and left side view.

Functional and Aesthetic Correction of Drooping Nasal Tip and Collapsed Columella

Preoperative photos showing nasal deformity with a collapsed columella and drooping tip: right side, right oblique, and nostril views. — Preoperative design consultation photos: Right side view, right oblique side view, and nostril view.

Symptoms of Collapsed Columella and Drooping Nasal Tip

The patient presented with:

Chronic rhinitis and sinusitis
Leftward septal deviation
Severely drooping nasal tip
Collapsed columella
Crooked nasal appearance
Irregular dorsal line and high radix (bridge starting point)

Closed Rhinoplasty Strategy for Collapsed Columella Correction

Surgical goals included:

Elevating the nasal tip
Restoring columella projection
Lowering the high nasal radix
Correcting dorsal irregularities and crooked alignment

Rib Cartilage Septal Reconstruction Techniques in Closed Rhinoplasty

Structural Correction of Drooping Tip and Deviated Septum

Autologous rib cartilage used for septal reconstruction
Septal extension to support and lift nasal tip
Corrected leftward deviation
Rebuilt collapsed columella with rib graft

Aesthetic Refinement After Drooping Nasal Tip Surgery

Refined bulbous tip
Lowered bridge starting point
Smoothed nasal dorsum
Improved nasolabial angle for profile balance

Functional Nose Correction for Chronic Rhinitis and Septal Deviation

Concurrent nasal obstruction surgery
Improved nasal breathing and airflow
Prevention of recurrent sinus infections

Outcomes After Collapsed Columella and Drooping Tip Correction

Frontal View

Straightened nasal axis
Natural tip projection
Balanced facial symmetry

Side view comparison before surgery (left) and immediately after rib cartilage reconstruction (right), showing elevation of the nasal tip, improved columella support, and a lowered nasal bridge starting point. — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

Profile View

Properly elevated nasal tip
Reconstructed columella with clear definition
Lowered radix, resulting in refined and harmonious profile

Oblique side view before surgery (left) and immediately after rib cartilage reconstruction (right), highlighting the corrected nasal deviation, improved tip projection, and smoother nasal dorsum contour. — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

Nostril base view before surgery (left) and immediately after septal reconstruction and columella correction using rib cartilage (right), showing improved nostril symmetry, columella projection, and internal structural support. — Before Surgery (Left) / Immediately After Surgery (Right)

👨‍⚕️ Expert Commentary

Postoperative views immediately after closed rhinoplasty with rib cartilage: frontal, oblique, and lateral angles showing elevated nasal tip, restored columella, lowered nasal starting point, and improved nasal symmetry. — Immediately after surgery: Frontal view, side view, and oblique side view photos.

Nostril view immediately after closed rhinoplasty with rib cartilage: showing symmetrical nostril shape, reconstructed columella, and internal structural stabilization. — Immediately after surgery: Nostril view photos.

This was a complex closed rhinoplasty case requiring full septal reconstruction using rib cartilage due to the absence of usable septal tissue. The combined approach achieved structural support, functional improvement, and aesthetic harmony—demonstrating the importance of patient-tailored solutions in revision rhinoplasty.

Thank you for reading.

Dr. Cha-Young Kang