Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 11/24/2009
The quality of the skin plays a major role in the outcome of rhinoplasty. Persons with extremely thick skin
may not see a significant change in the underlying bone structure after surgery. On the other hand, thin skin provides almost...
no cushion to hide many minor bone irregularities or imperfections.
Rhinoplasty should not be performed until the pubertal growth spurt is complete, ages 14–15 for girls and older for boys.
During the initial consultation, the candidate and surgeon will determine what changes can be made in the shape of the nose. Most doctors take photographs during that consult. The surgeon will also explain the techniques and anesthesia options available to the candidate.
The candidate and surgeon should also discuss guidelines for eating, drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain medications, and washing the face for the weeks immediately following surgery.
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There are several reasons why a person's nose or sinuses can become blocked including a deviated septum or chronic inflamed nasal turbinates. This video shows actual footage from a surgery aimed at relieving this blockage through removal of these offending nasal structures.
During an open rhinoplasty, an incision is made in the skin between the nostrils (A). Closed rhinoplasty involves only incisions inside the nose. Rhinoplasty may involve a change in nostril width (B) or removal of a hump on the nose (C) using bone sculpting. After surgery, a splint supports the nose (D), and a cold compress reduces swelling (E). (Illustration by GGS Inc.)
Other Information
Rhinoplasty (Greek: Rhinos, "Nose" + Plassein, "to shape") is a surgical procedure which is usually performed by either an otolaryngologist, oral surgeon, or plastic surgeon in order to improve the function (reconstructive surgery) and/or the appearance (cosmetic surgery) of a person's nose. Rhinoplasty is also commonly called a "nose reshaping" or "nose job". Rhinoplasty can be performed to meet aesthetic goals or for reconstructive purposes to correct trauma, birth defects or breathing problems. It can be combined with other surgical procedures such as chin augmentation to enhance the aesthetic results.
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