Hello, I am Dr. Peter C. Kang.
Today, I would like to share the case of a patient who improved severe nostril deformity and a drooping nose caused by an illegal injection.
📍 History of illegal procedures
20 years ago: illegal injection procedure (performed illegally by an unlicensed practitioner at a skincare clinic in Gangnam)
Front, left profile, and oblique views during design consultation.
🔎 Initial consultation findings
Design consultation: right oblique, profile, and basal (nostril) views.
Front view
Wide nose
Long nasal shape
Bulbous nasal tip
2. Profile view
Very high radix
Drooping tip
Protruding mouth findings
3. Nostrils
Illegal injection material migrated into the left columella and alar wing
Nostril deformity
Left nostril stenosis
✨ Patient's requests
Improvement of the widened appearance
Improvement in bulbous appearance
Avoided an overly sharp nose
💉 Surgical procedure details
Foreign material removal
Removal of illegal injection material
Debridement of damaged surrounding tissue
Securing clear tissue planes
2. Structural reconstruction
Reconstruction using autologous rib cartilage
Lower lateral cartilage reconstruction
Septal reconstruction
3. Shape improvement
Improvement of a wide nose
Correction of the nasolabial angle
Natural adjustment of the radix
Correction of the left nostril shape
✅ Surgical results
Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
Front view
Nose refined to an appropriate width
Improvement of the unnatural glabella
Natural nasal tip
Correction of the spread appearance
Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
2. Profile view
Natural radix position
Improvement of drooping tip
Correction of the nasolabial angle
Improvement of protruding mouth
Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
3. Nostrils
Improvement of the left nostril shape
Removal of illegal injection material that had migrated toward the left columella and nostril
Balanced nostril structure
Before surgery / Day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
Photograph of the removed illegal foreign material
👨⚕️ Specialist's assessment
Front, profile, and oblique views immediately after surgery on day 0 Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
Nostril view on day 0 immediately after surgery Photos taken immediately after surgery show swelling and may differ from the final result.
This was a complex case involving severe nostril deformity caused by an illegal injection administered by an unlicensed practitioner 20 years ago. The unauthorized substance injected in a non-medical setting had migrated into the left columella and alar wing, narrowing the nostril.
The most crucial aspect of the surgery was to safely remove all illicit injectables, followed by reconstructing the damaged framework using autologous rib cartilage. This case required complete reconstruction spanning both the lower lateral cartilage and the septum. In accordance with the patient's preferences, we achieved a natural nose that addressed the spread-out appearance without becoming overly sharp.
We also naturally lowered the radix, which had been positioned very high, and appropriately corrected the severely drooping nasal tip to create harmonious overall proportions.
This was Dr. Peter C. Kang. Thank you.
Thank you.
#closedrhinoplasty #foreignmaterialremoval #autologousribcartilage #nostrilreconstruction #customrhinoplasty
Limitations and risks
When autologous rib cartilage is used, scarring and pain may remain at the donor site on the chest, and pneumothorax (pleural injury) can occur rarely. Over time, the grafted cartilage may warp or undergo partial resorption.
When foreign materials such as injected fillers are removed and reconstructed, contracture may recur, nasal height and length may decrease, and staged surgery may be necessary depending on the skin condition.
When the septum is corrected at the same time, nasal obstruction may persist or recur, and in rare cases, septal perforation or changes in smell may occur.
Common potential risks include infection, bleeding, asymmetry, scarring, skin necrosis, and insufficient improvement; results vary depending on individual skin condition and previous surgical history.