When is it Unwise to Narrow the Nasal Tip?

Cosmetic nose surgery (rhinoplasty) is one of the most common procedures I perform. Patients who have never undergone nose surgery often request a “smaller” nasal tip. A more refined tip can be delivered with specialized techniques that also preserve the strength and structure of the tip of the nose in most instances.

However, sometimes what individuals perceive as a large or “bulbous” nasal tip is something else entirely. Instead, it is a problem that requires a more complex technique to deliver on their aesthetic goals.

It is important to ground an understanding of why this is sometimes the case by reviewing the anatomy of the nasal tip. The nasal tip is formed primarily by paired cartilages, called lower lateral cartilages, and their ligamentous attachments to each other as well as surrounding cartilage and soft tissue (see image below). The lower lateral cartilages pair up and align at the center. This area of the cartilage is called the medial crura or columella. The cartilages then separate, curving out over the nostrils. This section is called the lateral crura.

It is important to seek not only a fellowship-trained but also a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon if you have aesthetic concerns about your face and/or neck.

Source: Modification of Image from Çakır B, Küçüker İ, Aksakal İA, Sağır HÖ. Auto-Rim Flap Technique for Lateral Crura Caudal Excess Treatment. Aesthet Surg J. 2017 Jan;37(1):24-32.

The lateral crura are sometimes angled too vertically (see image below). The lateral crura can collapse when they are angled too vertically, resulting in a concave rather than a convex curve. The lateral crura are considered too vertically positioned. The nasal tip appears large not because it is but because the lateral crura are “pinched.” It becomes clearer when comparing the tip of the nose to the middle third of the nose. If the tip is approximately the width of the middle of the nose it is unlikely to be too large. It is important to recognize this deformity because performing the standard suite of tip narrowing techniques on such a nose will not improve it and may, in fact, make it worse.

Instead of trying to reduce the size and therefore strength of the nasal tip, this section of the cartilage needs to be strengthened and reoriented to provide the more refined shape the individual is seeking. This can be performed using cartilage taken from the septum inside the nose.

The modifications I often recommend in these instances can require extensive counseling, because some patients are understandably confused when they present to my office believing they have a large nasal tip. This is a circumstance that requires a detailed exam to identify and treat correctly

Source: Mohebbi A, Azizi A, Tabatabaiee S. Repositioned lateral crural flap technique for cephalic malposition in rhinoplasty. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2015 Fall;23(3):183-8.

Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon

It is important to seek a double board-certified, fellowship-trained specialist in plastic surgery of the face and neck when you have concerns about your face or neck.

Why Choose Dr. Harmon

• The mission of Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is to help people along their journey towards self-confidence, to feel good about feeling good.
• Dr. Harmon is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon.
• Dr. Harmon values making patients feel welcomed, listened to, and respected.
• Dr. Harmon graduated with honors from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology.
• Dr. Harmon earned his medical degree from the University of Cincinnati.
• Dr. Harmon underwent five years of extensive training in head at neck surgery at the prestigious residency program at the University of Cincinnati.
• Dr. Harmon then underwent focused fellowship training in cosmetic facial plastic surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) with the world-renowned surgeon, Dr. Andrew Jacono, on Park Avenue in New York City.

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References

1. Çakır B, Küçüker İ, Aksakal İA, Sağır HÖ. Auto-Rim Flap Technique for Lateral Crura Caudal Excess Treatment. Aesthet Surg J. 2017 Jan;37(1):24-32.
2. Mohebbi A, Azizi A, Tabatabaiee S. Repositioned lateral crural flap technique for cephalic malposition in rhinoplasty. Plast Surg (Oakv). 2015 Fall;23(3):183-8.