The Effects of Alar Lowering! (Dragon Nose Correction)

* Basic Information

# Female in her 20s

# Previous Rhinoplasty History: 1 time (Septal cartilage and silicone implant)

# Current Status and Main Complaints: After the previous surgery, the nostrils look pinched and resemble a ‘dragon nose,’ which is causing significant stress.

* Consultation

# This is a case of ‘alar retraction,’ where the nostrils appear pinched upward. Since it gives off a ‘surgically altered’ and unnatural look, correction is necessary.

# As this condition resulted from a previous surgery, the scar tissue is firm, making it a challenging case for correction.

# Due to the significant amount of lowering required, the plan was to use both skin and cartilage from the ear to achieve sufficient lowering.

# If you are considering alar lowering, you must choose after fully understanding the following limitations.

Limitations of Alar Lowering!1. 100% symmetry between the left and right nostrils is difficult to achieve.2. The horizontal width may slightly widen after surgery.3. The transplanted cartilage may be slightly visible when viewed from below.4. The texture becomes slightly firmer.5. The area where the ear cartilage was harvested may fold slightly (though it is barely noticeable).

* Plan

# Dragon Nose Correction

: Alar Lowering (Rt > Lt)

Before/After Selfies

* Post-operative Progress

# Satisfaction is high because correction is possible relatively simply, without external scars, using only incisions inside the nostrils!

# The surgical method varies depending on the degree of retraction. In mild cases, correction is possible through lower lateral cartilage suturing or cartilage grafting alone. However, in moderate to severe cases, cartilage grafting alone has limitations, so a composite graft including skin tissue is necessary for satisfactory correction.

# In this patient’s case, a skin-cartilage composite graft was performed. To ensure no changes in ear shape or visible scarring after harvesting the graft, many factors must be considered during the design phase. Therefore, the graft was harvested from the innermost part of the ear to minimize visible scarring.

# The overall nose shape and impression have become softer, and the nostrils have been corrected symmetrically to a satisfying degree.

Consultations and surgeries should be performed by a plastic surgery specialist!

The VIBE that comes from rich experience

Dr. Yoo Young-moon, Representative Director of Vibe Plastic Surgery

Vibe Plastic Surgery complies with medical laws. These before-and-after photos were taken under the same conditions with the patient’s consent. Complications and side effects such as bleeding, inflammation, infection, and asymmetry may occur after surgery, and individual results may vary, so caution is required.