The Hanging Columella and Notched Ala
The Appearance of Retracted Nostrils or of Too Much Visible Septum

Some patients present complaining that too much of their septum shows. Oftentimes, this is a problem that arises after previous surgery or trauma. For Drs. Litner and Solieman this is a condition wherein they must distinguish between the patient who has a septum which is “hanging” too low (hanging columella) versus the patient whose nostril(s) are “pulled” too far back (retracted ala, or alar notching). Sometimes both problems coexist, but the treatments are completely different.

Drs. Solieman and Litner give full attention to the shape of the nostril, the tip rotation, the presence of alar notching, the strength and volume of the tip cartilages, the shape of the alar margin, the size of the septum, and the relationship of the tip and columella to the upper lip when correcting this difficult problem in both primary and revision rhinoplasty.

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Procedure Details: Los Angeles RhinoplastyNose Surgery