Columellar show is used to describe a gap between the columella (the part of the nose between the nostrils which resembles a column) and the nostril edge. If the amount of “show” of this gap is more than about 2 mm from the profile view, then this begins to show too much of the inside of the nose from the profile view. So this is termed excess columellar show.

This is a complex situation to improved and requires the use of grafting and tip reshaping maneuvers to improve. Often patients complain about increased columellar show if a reductive rhinoplasty was done that doesn’t take into account the necessary structures that need to be respected during rhinoplasty.