Today rhinoplasty is one of the most popular types of surgical intervention. It is aimed at correcting the congenital and acquired deformities, as well as eliminating the problems with nasal breathing. Rhinoplasty is equally effectively applied in men and women, as well as in younger patients. Moreover, children’s nose reshaping is carried out exclusively for medical reasons, while adults resort to operation at will, if they want to get a beautiful form of the face’s centrepiece.
Primary Rhinoplasty
Instructions
Rhinoplasty can be performed both for esthetic and medical-reconstructive purposes. There are no special restrictions to this procedure, however it is noteworthy that it should be performed after the face formation process is completed. Girls can undergo rhinoplasty starting from the age of 16, while boys: starting from the age of 18.Surgical planning
Surgical planning includes consultation with the surgeon on the contraindications and possible operative and post-operative complications based on the peculiarities of your nose structure. The surgeon will also explain the importance of a number of factors regarding the final esthetic result such as the nose asymmetry, peculiarities of the bones and cartilages, skin elasticity and thickness, the patient’s age, etc.
A number of photos will be taken during the examination to draw the surgical plan, with computed tomography (CT) scan of the nose and paranasal sinuses to be further performed. You should by all means tell your doctor about your previous nose surgeries, injuries, allergies and respiratory problems. Smoking-related problems and medicine should also be considered. The surgeon and the anesthesiologist will instruct you on preoperative preparations. Don’t hesitate to discuss any other issues with your doctor.
Procedure
Rhinoplasty is performed only at a hospital under general anaesthesia. The duration of the surgery is 2 hours. The patient should stay at hospital under medical supervision for one day.Post-operative period
An external cast is applied to the nose if silicone tubes have been inserted in the nasal cavities. There may be swelling, bruises and bloody mucus from the nose. The doctor’s advise and instructions will ensure a safe post-operative period. The first bandaging is performed in seven days during which the external cast, suture and silicone tubes are removed.
Paper sticking plasters are further applied to the area and removed in 5-7 days. The swelling and bruises subside in 14-15 days after the surgery, though there may be some external functional discomfort due to the ongoing formation of the nose. The healing of the swelling and bruises depends on the peculiarities of the skin and mucous. The nose formation is finalized in 1-2 years following the rhinoplasty.
Secondary Rhinoplasty
Secondary rhinoplasty is performed if the outcome of the primary procedure is not satisfactory. The duration of the surgery is 2-3 hours. The surgery should be performed at least in 1 year after the previous procedure.
Secondary rhinoplasty usually includes reconstruction of the deformed nasal structures, with the nasal support recreated either with the nasal septum or the cartilage grafts harvested from the ear. Data on the previous surgery assist in problem detection, followed by careful examination of the external nose and nasal cavity structures. The possible complications, risks and expectations should be discussed during the consultation.