Nose Surgery (RHINOPLASTY)

Cosmetic rhinoplasty consists in remodelling the nose to make it more attractive. This means correcting congenital deformities, those that are post-traumatic or due to ageing by affecting the nasal bone (bump) the tip of the nose or the nostrils. The purpose of cosmetic rhinoplasty is to obtain a NATURAL-looking nose that harmonises with the other facial features and matches the patient’s personality while meeting the latter’s requirements.

In certain cases, cosmetic rhinoplasty can be combined with a “functional” procedure designed to correct a disorder of nasal breathing, especially in connection with the septum, the bone and cartilage that separates the two halves of the nose internally (septoplasty).

Before operating, it is best to wait until the face is fully grown (at the end of puberty).

Before a rhinoplasty operation

A PHOTOGRAPH is taken during the consultation that will make it possible to analyse and assess whether changing the shape of the nose as desired is surgically possible. It also makes it possible to analyse the most suitable shape for the future nose based on the shape of the face. Each nose and each face being different, it is important to avoid giving a “standard” nose shape and perform a “tailor-made” rhinoplasty.

The rhinoplasty operation

• General anaesthetic.
• The operation scar can be hidden in the nostrils, making it possible to straighten hook or Roman nose, shorten the base of the nose and narrow the tip (cartilage). Sometimes, however, external incisions may be necessary:
  • These are either hidden in the fold at the base of the sides of the nose if it is a matter of reducing the size of the nostrils;
  • Or through the columella (the skin separating the two nostrils) in order to perform “open” rhinoplasty when the distortions are serious (especially at the tip of the nose) or if this is a repeat operation.
• If the nose partition or columella is distorted, this can be corrected at the same time. Sometimes grafts of cartilage or bone are used to fill a depression, support a part of the nose or improve the shape of the tip.
• Time taken for the operation de rhinoplasty: about 1 hour.

Post-operative condition after rhinoplasty

• Hospitalisation is generally for 24 hours (sometimes day surgery in the case of a partial intervention on the tip of the nose).
• The plugs are removed the date after the operation before discharge from hospital.
• The stiches are generally reabsorbed and fall out on their own.
• A resin cast must be worn for 10 days all the time after the operation and then for a further month during the night.
• During the first month, while the bone is knitting together, avoid impact to the nose as the bones could move.
• Bruising may last for one to two weeks 1 à 2 (rarely longer).
• After a rhinoplasty, the nose will take several months in which to stabilise and take its final form (it may be that the healing may produce an anomaly that will require a slight adjustment).
• In the particular case of a nose that is strongly deviated, surgery, where possible, may not always make it possible to obtain perfect symmetry after the operation.
• The post-operative condition and possible complications from rhinoplasty will be explained to you during the consultation as well as in the literature supplied.