Rhinoplasty

It’s as plain as the nose on your face.This old adage rings true because of the obvious importance of the nose in harmonious facial aesthetics.

Regardless of age, one of the most powerful tools that plastic surgeons have in their armamentarium to enhance a patient's cosmetic appeal is the rhinoplasty.

The perception of good nasal aesthetics. varies widely around the world. Even in the United States, what patients consider an attractive nose is affected by region and ethnicity.

We also must never forget that the nose is an essential component in breathing. Congenital and traumatic changes can cause a disruption in normal breathing patterns. Rhinoplasty operations can be used to selectively correct a wide variety of these issues. Unfortunately, injudicious rhinoplasty can also worsen or even create difficulty breathing.

Where do we start? A thorough examination and frank discussion regarding the patient's identified nasal deformity should be undertaken. Coupled with this should be a concrete surgical plan aimed at correction of the specific disturbance.

Use of anatomic sketches describing the operative mechanics and the review of photographs of former rhinoplasty patients are integral in leading patients toward a realistic result. Also preoperative computer imaging is useful in communicating how the anatomic changes planned in surgery translate into a postoperative result.

Rhinoplasty is an outpatient procedure which is performed under general anesthesia. This method provides maximal protection of the airways. Many surgeons now use a small incision between the nostrils to approach the underlying nasal skeleton. Through this incision, the skin is lifted, fatty areas can be reduced, and the bones and cartilage can be remodeled in a manner consistent with the preoperatively planned result.

After surgery, a splint is typically applied to the top of the nose to maintain the position of the correction for about a week. Bruising after surgery is variable, but with removal of the splint, the results are immediate. Swelling may accompany the post operative period of convalescence for several months.

Rhinoplasty techniques have undergone a real renaissance in the last decade.Exacting and elegant operative techniques have hopefully ended the "cookie-cutter" nose job. Surgical interventions are carefully crafted toward providing a natural, aesthetically pleasing result which respects the patient's ethnicity, nasal function, and preoperative cosmetic concerns. Our goal is to provide a result which is in harmony with the patient’s face. The approach should assure that the surgical result is imperceptible to people unfamiliar with the patient's preoperative appearance.

All surgical interventions carry inherent risks with them. Please be sure to consult with a board certified or eligible plastic surgeon who has maintained admitting privileges at a reputable hospital. Your surgeon should also be able to demonstrate to you an expertise in aesthetic and functional nasal surgery.

Rhinoplasty is a safe, permanent technique which enhances one's aesthetic appeal. "It's as plain as the nose on your face."