Nasal reconstruction or rhinoplasty, one of the                     first cosmetic procedures ever developed, is                        among those which are performed most frequently                today. Thousands of people each year undergo rhinoplasty in order to improve the appearance of their noses. Typical reasons for this surgery are to improve the angle or reduce the size of the nose or to remove a bump, conditions which may have been the result of natural causes or external trauma to the face.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure is which deformities of the nose are corrected by removing, rearranging or reshaping bone or cartilage. In Asian nose, most of the cases required insertion of graft or prosthesis. Prior to the surgery, careful examination as well as photographs of the nose help the physician determine the appropriate procedures to use to obtain the desired results. The surgery can be performed using local anesthesia in which the area is numbed and the patient remains awake or under general anesthesia in which the patient is put to sleep. For most corrections, an incision is made inside the nose through which the surgeon works to reshape its contour. Following the surgery, which lasts from an hour and a half to two hours or more, a lightweight splint is applied to maintain the new shape of the nose. The splint is usually removed within a week. Nasal pads may be inserted at the time of surgery to protect the septum, the dividing wall between the two chambers of the nose. This packing is removed within a day or two.

Discomfort associated with the procedure is controlled by medication. Bruising around the eyes will occur but will begin to fade within a few days. All discoloration usually disappears in two to three weeks. Swelling around the treated area is to be expected and will slowly diminish. However, some slight swelling may be present for as long as two or three months, and final results may not be apparent for up to one year. Patients are usually up and around a day or two after the procedure ; however, the physician will determine when normal activities can be resumed, based upon the condition of the individual.

The amount of improvement is individual and depends upon the extent of the surgery. In some cases, as when a badly misshapen nose is reconstructed, dramatic results may be obtained. The removal of a slight bump, on the other hand, may produce very subtle yet satisfying results for the patient. Prior to surgery, the physician and the patient will discuss the desired objectives of the surgery and how the nose should look in relation to the patient's other facial features. The physician will then plan the procedure with these goals in mind.

Each year, thousands of rhinoplasties are successfully performed. Although complications are rare, possible risks should be discussed with the surgeon prior to surgery. In every case, complications can be minimized by careful adherence to the physician's instructions.

If you are interested in learning more about rhinoplasty, please call our office and we will be happy to answer your questions.