Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty surgery is one of the most common operations performed in plastic surgery. It is done to improve the appearance of a nose that is too large, has a hump, a hereditary abnormality, or to correct nose deformities from an injury.

THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE

Rhinoplasty is done under general anesthesia or with local anesthesia and sedation. This operation is frequently done as an outpatient procedure. Rhinoplasty surgery is generally done through incisions inside the nose. The skin is lifted off the bony and cartilaginous pyramids. These structures are modified and fatty tissue may be removed from the underside of the skin over the tip of the nose. This skin is then draped over the new framework. The skin of the nose especially over the tip has a great deal of influence on the results that can be expected from surgery. The thicker the skin, the worse it adapts to the changes made in the underlying cartilage and bone. The functional structure of the nasal airway must be maintained. This limits the degree of modification of the framework possible in each person. Rarely, in large noses or noses with thick skin, further modification requires removal of thick skin to make the alas smaller, the columella thinner or the tip narrower. On occasion, more than one surgery is necessary for optimum results.

PROBLEMS AND COMPLICATIONS

Following Septal surgery some re-bowing of the septal structures can occur, causing some degree of nasal airway narrowing to take place. An uncommon potential risk of septal surgery is the development of a hole or perforation in the septum. The risk of this occurring increases with the severity of septal deformity present and the amount of scar in the septum. Infection is a possible but unlikely complication. There is usually little if any pain after surgery on the nasal septum or turbinates. Septalplasty surgery is generally a very worthwhile and rewarding procedure to improve structural deformities of the nose, which reduce the nasal airways.