Designed to improve the cosmetic appearance or functionality of the human nose, rhinoplasty is an invasive surgical procedure that can have long-lasting effects on self-esteem. This type of surgery is usually performed by a plastic surgeon that specializes in otolaryngology or head-and-neck operations. Ensuring your doctor is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery is a great start in reducing post-op risks, complications, and scarring.
The two main types of rhinoplasty are open and closed with variations that include incisions completely inside the nostril or addition of an extra inconspicuous incision across the bottom septum. Regardless of incision access, the process is essentially the same. Skin and soft tissue are separated from underlying cartilage and bone. If a hump is present, a scalpel is used to remove cartilage and a chisel is used to remove bone. Synthetic or transplant implants of cartilage or bone are placed if more support or shape is needed. A metal splint is taped to the nose to maintain the new shape for a week.
Types of rhinoplasty are further divided into primary or secondary and functional or reconstructive. Primary refers to an initial surgery, regardless of the cosmetic or functional purpose. Secondary refers to cosmetic surgery designed to correct an unsatisfactory outcome from a previous surgery. There are a variety of reasons for secondary rhinoplasty and 5-20% of patients are dissatisfied with their initial surgical outcome.
Loss of sense of smell is a common and usually temporary side effect of this type of procedure. Nerve endings are severed or disrupted and tissue swells, impeding nerve conduction of smell to the brain. This usually resolves within a few weeks post-operatively. While a moderate amount of swelling is normal after any procedure, excessive swelling may be a sign of hematoma formation or infection. Be sure to carefully follow your doctor's post-operative instructions and report any swelling that is excessively painful or doesn't resolve within the normal recovery period. Some techniques used in rhinoplasty involve incision and separation of nasal septum. Nasal whistling is a common side effect. It may be temporary as the septum heals or may require further post-operative revision as many patients feel this interference with their breathing is unsatisfactory.
As with all cosmetic procedures, be sure to choose a highly-qualified surgeon with many years of experience in the surgery you are considering. It is ideal to choose someone that you are comfortable discussing your questions and concerns with.
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