Rhinoplasty is cosmetic nose surgery to repair or reshape the nose
Rhinoplasty surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia, depending on the exact procedure and the surgeon and patient’s preference. Rhinoplasty is performed in a hospital or an outpatient surgery center. Complex procedures may require an overnight hospital stay. The procedure usually takes around 2 – 3 hours, but may take longer.
Rhinoplasty surgery is performed under a combination of general and local anaesthesia. You will not be aware through the procedure. The nose and the area around it is numbed with local anaesthesia. General anesthesia allows the patient to sleep through the operation.
The surgery is usually done through a cut made inside the nostrils. In some cases, the cut may be made from outside, in the base of the nose. This type of cut is used to perform work on the tip of the nose, or if you need a cartilage graft.
A small plaster may be placed on the outside of the nose. This helps maintain the new shape of the nasal bones when the surgery is finished. Soft silicone splints or nasal packs also may be placed in the nostrils to keep the dividing wall between the air passages (septum) stable.
Risks
The risks of any anaesthesia are:
- Reactions to medications
- Problems breathing
The risks of any surgery are:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Bruising
After surgery, small burst blood vessels may occasionally appear as tiny red spots on the skin’s surface. They are usually minor, but are not permanent. There are no visible scars if the rhinoplasty is performed from inside the nose. If the procedure narrows flared nostrils, there may be small scars at the base of the nose that are not usually visible. Rarely, a second procedure may be needed to fix a minor deformity.
If you have questions about cosmetic nose surgery contact your local doctor who will arrange for you to see a nose surgeon.
