Thinking of Rhinoplasty.
What is Rhinoplasty
Choosing your Surgeon
What should I expect from a consultation?
Can things go wrong?
The Operation
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure, usually done under general
anaesthetic, in which the nose can be reduced or reshaped. Septorhinoplasty
is the same type of operation but with the addition of correction
of the septum (the wall between the two nasal cavities).
There are two types – closed and open. In a closed Rhinoplasty,
all incisions are inside the nose and are not seen: an open Rhinoplasty
implies that an external incision is made across the columella – the
bridge of skin between the two nostrils underneath the nose. This
incision usually heals well and is seldom noticeable. In our practice,
the open approach is usually reserved for Septorhinoplasty or the
very complicated Rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty is not one standard procedure; the surgeon must design
his operation specifically to meet the requirements of that particular
nose. The design should be decided upon with the patient during
the consultation.
Choosing your surgeon
Whether you choose an ENT, Plastic or Facio-Maxillary surgeon to
reshape your nose, it is important that you have faith in his expertise,
his qualifications, the care he provides and the hospital he operates
in. Choosing a surgeon who is a consultant in the NHS is one way
to ensure that he or she is qualified to operate on you and that
your surgeon will be able to provide further care should it be required.
What should I expect from a consultation?
Your surgeon should discuss with you all the features
you dislike. A full examination of the face should then
take place. Your surgeon can then decide whether your requests are
practicable and what corrections are required to each part of the
nose.
Enquiries of your general health must be made to ensure that you
are fit to undergo a general anaesthetic without risk.
At the end of the consultation, both you and your surgeon should
fully understand the aims of the operation.
Can things go wrong?
Yes!
By and large, Rhinoplasty is relatively free of risk and complications
but no surgeon can guarantee perfect results all the time. However,
with careful, well planned surgery, complications are relatively
uncommon.
- Bleeding This is
very rare – in 25 years I have not had a patient bleed significantly
in cosmetic rhinoplasty.
- Pain – is not a feature of rhinoplasty.
One may experience some discomfort over the nose and forehead but
seldom severely. If increasing pain is felt during the 10 days
convalescence,it may herald infection so seek the advice of your
surgeon. This
problem is rare in cosmetic rhinoplasty but may occur in septal
surgery.
- Bruising - Bruising around the eyes and
upper cheeks is unavoidable and may last 2 weeks. Though spectacular,
it is not painful.
- Scars – There are no scars in closed
rhinoplasty; the open operation involves an incision across the
columella. It usually heals well and is seldom noticeable. Do tell
your surgeon if you have a tendency to thickened scars.
- Skin Care - When the splint is removed, the skin of the nose
may flake. Simple creams should be used to restore its condition.
Please be aware that the skin is vulnerable to sunlight for six
months so do protect it with high factor sunscreen.
The Operation
As surgeons’ procedures differ, I shall describe our own for
example.
- Admission is on the day of surgery. You must take
nothing by mouth (even chewing gum) for 6 hours prior to your operation.
You will be admitted by our nursing staff and then seen by my anaesthetic
colleague and by me.
- You will be fully anaesthetised during your operation and will
feel nothing.
- After the operation, most patients are sleepy for a few hours.
- Pain control is given if necessary.
- You will have a plastic splint over your nose for 1 week.
- It is unlikely that you will have any packing in the nose unless
the septum has been straightened.
- After 7 days, splints and any external sutures will be removed.
Should you wish further information you can get in touch via the Contact
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