Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures performed. During a rhinoplasty, the surgeon is able to reshape, reduce or augment a patient’s nose to improve appearance.
A Rhinoplasty may be performed as a reconstructive procedure to correct a birth defect, a repair surgery to remedy an injury like a broken nose, or simply for cosmetic reasons. Sometimes the procedure is performed in conjunction with endoscopic sinus surgery for patients with ongoing sinusitis or with a septoplasty, a procedure to correct a deviated septum. In these cases, the operation effectively treats health and breathing problems, as well as improving the patient’s appearance.
Rhinoplasty has several specific goals. Some facilitate breathing as well as improve facial appearance. During a rhinoplasty, the surgeon may make your appearance more pleasing to you by:
In order to be a candidate for a Rhinoplasty procedure you must meet the following criteria:
Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure performed under IV sedation or general anesthesia. It usually takes from 1 to 2 hours to complete. Surgeons use one of two techniques when performing nose surgery. In a closed Rhinoplasty, incisions are made within the nostrils. In an open Rhinoplasty, the incision is made across the columella, the tissue between the nostrils.
With both methods, the surgeon gently lifts the soft tissues covering the nose.The surgeon sculpts the bone and cartilage to the desired shape.Any additional cartilage needed to augment the nose can often be taken from the septum. If the patient has a deviated septum, the surgeon will adjust the septum and the inner structures of the nose to improve breathing.Then the tissues are re-draped and stitched closed. If the patient desires nostril reshaping, this is done as the final stage of rhinoplasty.
Immediately after surgery, your nose and eyes are usually bruised and swollen. Splints and some thing support material will remain inside your nose for a few days. During this period, you may experience some nasal pain or a dull headache, as well as some bleeding and drainage from your nose. Most patients are comfortable enough to return to regular activities in about a week. Contact lenses can be worn immediately after the procedure, but glasses may need to be taped to your forehead or propped on your cheeks for up to seven weeks.
Complications arising from a Rhinoplasty are rare and, when they do occur, usually minor.These may include infection, nosebleed, or a reaction to the anesthesia. Some few patients may experience recurring nosebleed or numbness in or around the nose. On rare occasions, the nasal septum may be perforated, but this rarely results in any significant symptoms. In general, a Rhinoplasty is considered a very safe surgical procedure.
Revision, or secondary, Rhinoplasty corrects deformities caused by a previous operation on the nose. It is a more difficult procedure to perform than primary Rhinoplasty because there is less cartilage to work with and there may be scarring or tissue contracture.When performed by a highly skilled plastic surgeon, however, a revision Rhinoplasty can improve both the appearance and the function of the nose.
The ribs contain a large amount of cartilage that can be used to rebuild the nose if it has been badly damaged by trauma or previous surgery. Because of this, rib grafting is a very powerful tool in the field of revision rhinoplasty.Although these cases are always more challenging, the procedure can be performed safely by well-trained plastic surgeons who specialize in complex nasal surgery. Talk to your surgeon about whether a rib graft is required for your surgery.