Rhinoplasty

Definition, aims and principles

The operation reshapes the nose. It corrects the specific features present, whether congenital, arising in adolescence, following an injury, or due to ageing. The aim is a nose that looks natural, sits in proportion with the rest of the face, and suits the patient.

Before the operation

The surgeon examines the structure of the nose and its relationship to the rest of the face, together with an examination inside the nose. The expected result may be simulated by retouching photographs; that image is a proposal only and cannot be guaranteed to match the outcome. No medicine containing aspirin should be taken in the ten days before surgery.

Anaesthetic and hospital arrangements

The operation is usually performed under general anaesthetic. In some cases a deep local anaesthetic with intravenous sedation is sufficient. It is most often a day case, going home the same day; depending on the case, a short stay may be preferable.

The operation

Incisions are concealed, usually inside the nostrils, and so leave no visible scar. The underlying bone and cartilage are then reshaped according to the agreed plan: narrowing a wide nose, reducing a hump, correcting a deviation, refining the tip or straightening the septum.

After the operation: recovery

Recovery is rarely painful; it is being unable to breathe through the nose that is the main inconvenience of the first few days. Swelling, and sometimes bruising, appear mainly around the eyelids. Normal social and working life resumes after ten to twenty days depending on the case; vigorous sport and activity should be avoided for the first three months.

The result

The changes made by a rhinoplasty are permanent. The result usually matches the plan agreed beforehand, but time is needed before it can be judged fully, while the swelling settles completely.

Source: patient information leaflet of the Société Française de Chirurgie Plastique, Reconstructrice et Esthétique (SoFCPRE), as published by the practice in 2016. An extract, for the practice to review and complete.