Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, is designed to repair or reshape the outer part of the nose. This may have consequences for both the cosmetic appearance of the nose, and the function of the nose.

Septoplasty, an operation to straighten a deviated septum, is frequently performed as part of the rhinoplasty.

Nose surgery may be considered for the following reasons

– straighten a crooked nose

– make the nose appear more symmetrical

– make the nose smaller or larger

– alter the appearance of the tip of the nose

– reduce a ‘hump’ on the nose

– repair damage caused by nasal injury

– repair damage caused by disease e.g. Skin cancer

– improve the ability to breathe through the nose

Before you decide on nose surgery, there are some important issues to keep in mind:

– Your surgeon can only work with the existing bone and cartilage structure, so there are limits to how far you can alter the shape of your nose

– If you need surgery to repair a broken nose, it is best to seek medical attention straight away.

– Your surgeon will need to carefully evaluate your nasal structure to ensure that surgery does not interfere with breathing.

The final results may take up to 12 months to emerge, at which point your surgeon will assess the need for further surgery

Smokers are at increased risk of complications. If you are serious about undergoing surgery, you should quit smoking.

Nose surgery may not be a good option for you if you are:

    • Not able to have an anaesthetic
    • Prone to bleeding tendencies or have poor healing ability
    • Too high risk of having surgical complications

Nose surgery may be a good option for you if:

  • Your facial growth is complete
  • You experience breathing problems
  • You are self-conscious about the appearance of your nose
  • You are physically healthy and you do not have medical conditions that can impair healing or increase risk of surgery
  • You have realistic expectations of what nose surgery can accomplish
  • You are a non-smoker or have stopped smoking

Rhinoplasty is a complex operation and it may take some time for patients to fully understand the expected risks and benefits. You should take the time to understand these with your surgeon before proceeding with surgery.

Reference; American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery
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