Surgery That Shortens the Midface Without Double Jaw Surgery: Philtrum Reduction Surgery

Hello, this is Dr. Jo Hyun-woo of Ridif Plastic Surgery.

Today, I’d like to talk about the second surgery that can be performed together with contouring surgery: philtrum reduction surgery.

Through several columns, I have explained methods for surgery to address a long face. Among them, for people whose midface appears long, double jaw surgery can provide the greatest effect.

However, in consultations, I find that many people feel burdened by double jaw surgery. As a secondary option, there is surgery that shortens the length of the lower jaw. In addition to that, there is a surgery that can make the midface appear shorter when performed together, and that surgery is philtrum reduction surgery.

Philtrum reduction surgery is broadly divided into two methods.

There are medial philtrum reduction and lateral philtrum reduction. Medial philtrum reduction is a surgery that reduces the length in the center,

and lateral philtrum reduction is an effective surgical method for people whose outer corners of the mouth are drooping.

Depending on the degree, a non-incisional philtrum reduction may also be possible, but in most cases, if the inner philtrum is significantly elongated, medial philtrum reduction is performed,

and if the outer philtrum is wide, lateral philtrum reduction is performed.

Medial Philtrum Reduction (Incisional Method)

This is the medial philtrum reduction method.

The surgery is performed by making an incision below the nose, and you can think of the operation time as about 30 to 40 minutes.

Lateral Philtrum Reduction (Incisional Method)

Lateral philtrum reduction is usually performed together with corner-of-the-mouth surgery.

When the outer philtrum is elongated, the upper lip is usually rolled inward and exposure is limited.

In such cases, the incision line for corner-of-the-mouth surgery can be extended to reduce the lateral philtrum and make the lips more visible.

So far, we have looked at philtrum reduction surgery.

Philtrum reduction is a good way to shorten the length of the midface without double jaw surgery, but it does have a drawback.

That is, scars. The scars can be more noticeable than you might expect, so if you are sensitive about scarring, it may be worth thinking it over a little more.

Thank you.