Rhinoplasty

Indication
Surgical procedures to the external nose can be recommended or even necessary for various reasons. Since it is positioned in the center of the human face, the nose not only defines the personality of a person, but is perceived as the most prominent feature by the individual and by outsiders. The decision of the plastic surgeon whether or not surgery is required, often does not correspond with the expectation of the patient.  Surgeons will occasionally decline to perform rhinoplastic procedures. It is not uncommon that the nose is projecting psychological impairments caused by underlying reasons.

Course of the procedure
During an optical correction of the external nose, which is the classical indication for rhinoplasty, skin mantle, skeletal area, cartilage and bones are corrected under general anesthesia to create the desired shape. Prior to the procedure, the patient is interested in knowing how the surgical changes made to his or her nose will change his or her face. Modern imaging methods can help in this respect and will allow constant corrections during the planning phase. Of course, apart from aesthetic impairments, functional impediments and impairments of the nasal breathing can be corrected at the same time as well.

Prior to the surgery an anesthesia workup is required.  During which you will inform the Anesthesiologist on all previous illnesses, as well as possible medication intake.

Surgical time
Most rhinoplasty procedures usually take 1-1.5 hours.

Hospital stay
If an inpatient stay is required and its length will depend on the extent and the course of the operation. Most of the time, only a so-called short hospital stay of one night is required.

Instructions on postoperative behavior
In case of a complete nasal correction, which includes skeletal, cartilaginous and bone surgery, postoperative external splinting of the nose with a flesh-colored, elastic aluminum splint, which will be adjusted individually, is required.  To ensure nasal breathing, a soft silicone roll will be placed into each nostril for internal splinting. The tubes will be removed after a few days only. The nasal splint is usually removed after one week. Based on the patients bleeding tendency, swellings and hematomas in the eye and central facial area have to be expected, most of the time they will completely resolve during the days after the surgery.  Application of cold packs will help reduce swellings.

The final shape of the nose will show only after the swelling has completely resolved.  This will take no more than 3 months.  Therefore, sports should be avoided until the healing process is complete.