The Retracted Columella

The Retracted Columella
The Appearance of Too Little Visible Septum

Occasionally patients present who note that in profile they have shortened noses or that their nasal tip appears “pulled in” or retracted. In some of these patients, the problem is a retracted columella, which is seen commonly in primary or secondary rhinoplasty, or following trauma. Often, a retracted columella may have been previously unrecognized. Causes that are unrelated to previous nasal surgery include normal anatomic variation and congenital defects. Patients who have cleft lip and palate can present with columellar retraction. In addition, numerous processes that erode the cartilaginous septum or cause septal perforation may cause a columella to be retracted. A variety of rhinoplasty techniques can induce the columella to retract iatrogenically (as a result of intervention).

Treatment of the retracted columella in revision rhinoplasty depends on identifying the causative factor for the defect. Once Drs. Solieman and Litner have identified the cause of your problem, they will review the various measures they can utilize in order to correct it.

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Procedure Details: Beverly Hills Rhinoplasty Nose Surgery