 Rhinoplasty, also referred to as nose surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure which can reshape the nose in order to improve its appearance and create better harmony among the facial features. Rhinoplasty may also help to alleviate some breathing problems. Common changes include a reduction or increase in the overall size, removal of a hump, a change in the angle between the upper lip and nose, a change in the shape of the tip or the bridge of the nose, and a reduction in the span of the nostrils. Rhinoplasty may be performed on its own or it may be combined with other procedures, such as chin augmentation.
Candidates for rhinoplasty should be physically healthy and realistic in their expectations. Rhinoplasty should only be performed on young patients once they have reached full growth, which is usually around the age of fifteen or sixteen.
Rhinoplasty may be performed in a surgeon’s office-based facility, a hospital, or an outpatient surgery center. Anesthetic options include general anesthesia and local anesthesia with sedation. The average surgery time is about one to two hours.
Surgery begins by making incisions which are often confined to the inside of the nose (closed rhinoplasty). In some cases, an additional small incision must be made on the underside of the nose on the area of skin separating the nostrils (open rhinoplasty). Once the incisions are made, the underlying bone and cartilage support system may be accessed. The surgeon will achieve the desired shape by removing, adding to, or rearranging the bone and cartilage. The skin is then redraped over the new frame and the incisions are closed. Once the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to the outside of the nose and absorbent material (nasal packing) may be placed inside of the nose.
Bruising and swelling are common after rhinoplasty surgery and most of this fades within two weeks. Some subtle swelling can last for as long as a year. Bleeding can also occur. The face will appear puffy at first, and patients may experience some discomfort which can be controlled with medication. If used, nasal packing is typically removed the day after surgery. The splint is usually removed within five to eight days, and stitches are usually removed within one to two weeks.
Normal activities like work can usually be resumed in about one to two weeks. Strenuous activities will need to be avoided for two to three weeks, and sun exposure and risking injury to the nose will need to be avoided for about eight weeks. |
Rhinoplasty
