INTRODUCTION
Nasal base varies with one’s ethnicity. Wide flaring nostril and large nostril openings are very common among the Africans, Asians and occasionally in Caucasians. In general, the width of the eye or the area between the eyes comprises about one-fifth of the facial width. On a frontal view, a wide nasal base may distract the apparent facial balance or distract the surrounding facial features. The shape of the nose base, when viewed from below, is generally triangular in shape. The shape of the outer nostril wall (nasal alar) ideally displays a gentle convexity between the nasal tip and nose-cheek junction (alar crease). When the shape of the nasal alar demonstrates an accentuated convexity, this may detract from nasal or facial balance.
Alarplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure aim to reduce the wide flaring nostrils and nasal base width by removing a wedge of the nose at the alar base. The wound is closed together by meticulous repositioning at the natural crease of the external nose-cheek junction or hidden in the nostril to conceal the tell-tale sign of surgery. This surgery can be done alone or combination with nasal augmentation to enhance the overall appearance (size, shape, symmetry and proportion) of the nose and nostrils.
