[Nose Surgery] Understanding Alar Retraction Surgery!

Alar retraction surgery at April 31 Plastic Surgery

A nose where the nostrils are visible

is commonly called a “dragon nose.”

Through alar retraction surgery, the dragon nose is improved,

and it is also called “lowering the nostrils.”

Today, we will learn about

alar retraction surgery.

What is alar retraction surgery?

4/31 Alar retraction surgery

Alar retraction surgery at April 31 Plastic Surgery

A nose where the nostrils are visible

does not create a refined impression.

Alar retraction is not simply a case where

the nasal tip is upturned;

it is a condition where there is a shortage of soft tissue in the alar area

and the alar cartilage is short, causing the nostrils to show.

Especially when the nose is short and the alar tissue is

retracted so that the nostrils are clearly visible,

it is not easy to correct.

In the past, alar retraction was often due to congenital causes,

but cases are also appearing in which the nasal tip shape changes

after overly aggressive nose surgery or repeated surgeries, causing scar contracture

and making the nostrils visible.

Alar retraction surgery

Classification by type

4/31 Alar retraction surgery

Alar retraction surgery at April 31 Plastic Surgery

As the causes of alar retraction become more diverse,

it is important to subdivide the types and plan surgery accordingly.

When viewed from the front, the nostril has an oval shape.

The long axis of that oval is called the major axis,

and the short axis is called the minor axis.

Depending on how far the margin of the nostril has been pulled upward,

alar retraction is defined, and the surgery is actually carried out by dividing

cases into types.

Alar retraction surgery

Surgical methods by case

4/31 Alar retraction surgery

Alar retraction surgery at April 31 Plastic Surgery

Even for alar retraction surgery,

different surgical methods can be applied depending on the patient's characteristics

and diagnosis.

At April 31 Plastic Surgery, a paper was presented

in which alar retraction was divided into three types and treated surgically.

Presentation of a paper on alar retraction at April 31 Plastic Surgery

Types 1, 2, and 3 of alar retraction

Type 1 alar retraction (medial type)

Type 1 alar retraction (medial type)

This is when the alar retraction is on the inner side of the nostril, and Type 1 alar retraction often occurs due to postoperative scar contracture. The prognosis after surgery is relatively good. The representative method is called alar spreader grafting, in which the alar cartilage is spread apart and fixed, or the correction is performed by using autologous cartilage for extension grafting to the alar cartilage.

Type 2 alar retraction (central type)

Type 2 alar retraction (central type)

This is when the alar retraction is in the center of the nostril, and correction is relatively easy, but

sometimes the nasal tip becomes slightly bulkier. As with Type 1, correction is performed by spreading and fixing the alar cartilage or by using autologous cartilage for extension

grafting to the alar cartilage.

Type 3 alar retraction (lateral type)

Type 3 alar retraction (lateral type)

This is when the alar retraction is on the outer side of the nostril. It is often congenital and is more difficult to correct, so several surgical methods must be combined for effective

correction. Extension grafting is performed on the alar cartilage, cartilage pieces are inserted at the tip of the ala for correction, and the base of the nostril may also be excised.

Alar retraction surgery at April 31 Plastic Surgery

Alar retraction surgery is sometimes performed together with alar reduction.

Because alar reduction targets the area made up of only soft tissue,

not the area with cartilage,

when that area is reduced, the nostrils also become smaller, improving the pinched-looking alar retraction appearance.

Today, we explained

alar retraction surgery.

If you click the YouTube link below,

you can find more detailed information 😊

Alar retraction surgery at April 31 Plastic Surgery

April 31 Plastic Surgery

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