Nose corrections (Rhinoplasty)

The shape and size of the nose lends the individual person his or hers personal features which by no means that it has to be changed. Due to trauma the nose can be deformed and cause functional problems like obstructed airways. As the nose plays a central role in our appearance, the evaluation has to consider the balance between the different segments of the face and their relation to the nose. Many persons seeking a rhinoplasty, for instance, have a weak chin or flat cheekbones and a normal nose. Anatomically the nose-profile is "lifted" up by the nasal bones and the cartilage. The skin is mostly thin and stiffly connected to these structures by fibrous tissues, which explains the long duration of the postoperative swelling after a rhinoplasty.

Anaesthetic: Conscious sedation and local anaesthetic or general anaesthesia.

Operating time: 1 - 2 hours.

Technique: Incisions are usually made in the nostrils and the soft tissues are separated from the bones and cartilage which now can be reshaped. If breathing problems or deviations are present, this can be improved by a septoplasty. Sometimes an "open" procedure could be beneficial; leaving a tiny scar on the columella or sometimes the nostrils should be narrowed through incisions at their bases. A cast or a splint is placed over the nose for 6-7 days and in some cases an internal dressing is applied for 2-3 days. The healing procedure can produce unexpected irregularities due to scar formations that may need a secondary correction. This happens in about 5%.