WHAT IS A RHINOPLASTY?
Rhinoplasty consists of reshaping a person’s nose to give it a more consistent appearance or to improve its functionality.
Multiple rhinoplasty techniques exist, although there is a tendency to divide them into two types of procedures:
- Open Rhinoplasty: An incision in the nasal columella is required to more easily address the different structures of the nose.
- Closed rhinoplasty: The incision is made in the nasal vestibule without the need to make a “visible” incision in the columella.
The decision must be individualized based on the characteristics of each person.
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR THIS SURGERY?
The ideal patient is a healthy patient who is not comfortable with his/her nose and who wants to harmonize the anatomy of the face.
Although a nose is not only intervened for aesthetic reasons and there are other reasons, such as nasal deviation, associated or not with obstruction of air intake.
Due to the variability in personal characteristics, each case should be individualized and the indication, technique and therapeutic attitude to be followed in each patient should be carefully studied.
WHAT IS VALUED ON THE FIRST VISIT?
The first visit is the main step for the patient who has considered the possibility of having a rhinoplasty.
Some of the characteristics that are evaluated during the consultation are:
– Medical and surgical history (including possible previous trauma to the nose).
– Regular medication.
– Shape of the nose (analysis of each part of the nose separately and together).
– Existence of obstructions to the air passage.
– Skin type (thicker or thinner).
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE THE INTERVENTION? PREOPERATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
There are a few considerations to keep in mind:
– Avoid certain medications that may complicate the intervention.
– Quit smoking for a period of time, before and after the intervention, since tobacco has been shown to worsen and hinder wound healing.
– Keep in mind that you will need some help after the intervention.
WHAT SHOULD I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AFTER THE INTERVENTION? POSTOPERATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Some recommendations include:
– Avoid tobacco.
– Take the prescribed postoperative medication.
– Relative rest of a few days.
HOW IS A RHINOPLASTY PERFORMED?
There are thousands of techniques that can be used in a rhinoplasty depending on the nasal morphology of each patient. Some examples are:
– File of the dorsal hump
– Narrowing of nasal bones
– Reduction of nasal wings
– Elevation and sharpening of the nasal tip
– Modification of the nasal septum (what is known as septoplasty)…
The surgical decision to perform an open or closed rhinoplasty depends on the surgeon and the type of nose, always counting on the patient’s opinion.
Open rhinoplasty is performed through the columella (anterior area of the nasal septum), the scar is not very aesthetically appreciable in a few months, while closed rhinoplasty is done through the nasal vestibule (inside the nose). There will be cases in which closed rhinoplasty is more indicated and there will be others where open rhinoplasty is. In any case, it should be assessed which is the best technique for each patient.
Sometimes it is necessary to reduce the nostrils, which implies additional external scars, regardless of the technique used (open or closed), but these are camouflaged in the natural folds of the nose.
WHERE IS THIS INTERVENTION PRACTICED?
Usually a rhinoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia. General anaesthesia allows the surgeon to work more calmly and, to the patient, invaluable safety. The duration depends on each case. Patients usually spend a night in the hospital.
HOW IS THE EVOLUTION AND POST-INTERVENTION CONTROLS?
Although each patient has their own particularities, the postoperative course contains phases common to all patients:
After the intervention
Before leaving the operating room, a splint will be placed over your nose. Also nasal plugs to avoid any bleeding.
During the first week:
You should keep your head elevated.
During the first days the nose and adjacent areas may present some inflammation and bruising, but as time passes they gradually disappear.
Your nasal packing will be removed (after 3-5 days) and you can start washing inside your nose.
The splint and stitches will be removed (after 7 days).
It is important that once you have no splint, you avoid any possible trauma to the nose. In addition, it is also necessary to avoid sun exposure in order to avoid dark pigmentation of the nasal skin.
After several months
Over the months, the nose will take its final shape once the inflammation gradually decreases.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE RESULTS?
Rhinoplasty results are permanent. After a few days, the results are already appreciated but it is not until after the first year when they are considered definitive.
The main objective of rhinoplasty is not to change the patient’s face, but rather treat the main defect that was present so it goes unnoticed and improves the overall harmony of the face.
ARE THERE CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR THIS SURGERY?
Some contraindications are heavy smokers who are not going to quit smoking or patients who use inhalated drugs.
IS THERE ANY ALTERNATIVE?
In patients who do not want to undergo surgery, there is currently an alternative, which is the use of resorbable fillers that allow us to camouflage certain defects in the shape of the nose.
