Nasal Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Procedure

During the procedure you are completely asleep, under the care of an anesthesiologist. All work is performed inside the nose, and involves sculpting of nasal cartilage and bone. In the early days of plastic surgery, nasal bones were broken. Today, however, if bone work is necessary we use a method called "controlled osteotomies," loosening and sliding the nasal bones together. Any bump is removed by gently sanding, and the cartilage at the tip of the nose sculpted to give a nice projection while creating a natural, non-pinched contour. Natural irregularities can often be smoothed by adding cartilage taken from the septum (the wall between the nasal cavities) or, occasionally, from the back of the ear. The nasal angle is improved when necessary, but we avoid the old-style, excessively upturned appearance. If necessary, enlarged nostrils are narrowed by removing a small, pie-shaped piece from the side crease line of the nostril. In patients who experience breathing difficulties, an adequate airway passage is created by either straightening the septum to remove the distortion or by reducing nasal turbinate blockage.

Dissolvable sutures are used inside the nose at the completion of your surgery. A long-acting local anesthetic is also used to numb your nose for several hours after surgery. Pain after surgery is unusual; patients usually describe only mild discomfort and stuffiness.

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