Nose correction is also known as rhinoplasty. It is one of the most technically demanding procedures in aesthetic plastic surgery. It is therefore advisable to choose a specialist for rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty can be performed for aesthetic or medical reasons. Even with aesthetic corrections, the function of the nose must be preserved. The right contact person for this is usually an ENT specialist trained in plastic surgery.
In this article, the focus is on rhinoplasty for aesthetic reasons.
Most patients opt for a nose correction in order to achieve a beautiful nose that fits harmoniously into their face. If people are not satisfied with the shape and size of their nose, they often suffer from psychological problems and impaired self-confidence for years.
A surgical rhinoplasty then promises both great psychological relief and a boost in self-esteem.
Rhinoplasty can be used to remove nasal humps, for example © New Africa | AdobeStock
For a rhinoplasty, a
- an ear, nose and throat specialist (especially if there are nasal breathing disorders) or
- a specialist in plastic and aesthetic surgery
should be considered. The latter should have extensive experience in nasal surgery in particular, ideally not only in aesthetic nose operations but also in functional corrections.
During rhinoplasty, the shape and size of the nose is surgically prepared and altered. The nose should then fit into the face in harmonious proportions.
Not every patient's idea is technically feasible and not every suggestion is considered by the surgeon to make sense in terms of design. The new nose should fit the shape of the face and blend in harmoniously.
In principle, it is possible with a nose correction to
- reduce the size of the nose
- to enlarge or
- to make it narrower,
- reduce nasal humps and oversized nostrils,
- straighten a crooked nose,
- correct a saddle nose,
- reshape the nostrils and
- change the angle between the nose and upper lip.
In most cases, patients want
- a reduction or shortening of the nose,
- a lifting or reshaping of the tip of the nose,
- a refinement of the nostrils or
- a narrowing of the skeleton.
A straightening of the nasal septum is also often performed during a rhinoplasty. The reason for this is often a misalignment of the nasal septum, which impedes nasal breathing. Pronounced crooked and saddle noses may also require the transplantation of cartilage or bone.
The best prerequisites for a nose correction are
- a good bony and cartilaginous nasal framework and
- a normal nasal mucosa.
During the preliminary consultations,
- Nasal breathing obstructions (e.g. deviated septum, polyps),
- previous injuries to the nose or allergic
- allergic reactions to the nasal mucosa and the sinuses
and to plan the rhinoplasty procedure accordingly. This requires a thorough ENT examination.
If possible, rhinoplasty should only be performed when the patient is fully grown. Rhinoplasty can be problematic in very old patients.
The type of anesthesia used for rhinoplasty depends on the extent of the procedure. Smaller procedures on the tip of the nose are also possible under local anesthesia and twilight sleep. More extensive rhinoplasty procedures should be performed under general anesthesia.
The operation takes around 1-2 hours.
The procedure for a nose correction depends on
- the individual anatomy,
- the structure of the bony and cartilaginous nasal framework,
- the condition of the skin and
- the age of the patient
age of the patient.
During the procedure, the surgeon first exposes the cartilage and bone structure of the nose using special instruments. To do this, he makes invisible incisions inside the nose to remove the skin and mucous membranes. He then changes the appearance of the nose according to the patient's wishes or the anatomical conditions.
In general, a distinction can be made between open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty.
In most cases, the endonasal approach is used, in which the incisions are made inside the nose and are therefore invisible from the outside. However, open rhinoplasty may also be necessary for some procedures for various reasons, in particular the severely restricted view. In this case, the surgeon makes a small incision through the outer bridge of the nose.
Illustration of a rhinoplasty with cartilage adjustment © lenka | AdobeStock
A number of preliminary examinations are necessary before a rhinoplasty. The doctor will check
- the function of breathing and
- the condition of the nasal mucous membranes and
- whether allergies are present.
Some patients have very sensitive nasal mucous membranes. They should use nourishing nasal ointments or oily nasal drops in the 2 to 3 weeks before the rhinoplasty operation.
It is also necessary to treat chronic inflammation
- of the nose,
- of the throat or
- the ears
must be clarified and treated in good time before the rhinoplasty.
In the two weeks before the rhinoplasty, the patient should also refrain from
- taking sleeping pills and painkillers that delay blood clotting, such as aspirin, and
- the consumption of alcohol
alcohol.
The patient should take it easy physically for the first 24 hours after the rhinoplasty.
- Exercise,
- direct sunlight,
- sauna,
- solarium and
- hot baths
must be taboo for 6 weeks to 3 months.
By Alison Cassidy - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
The operated area should be cooled immediately after the nose operation. Swelling and bruising should be kept to a minimum and will disappear within a few days. Sensitivity to pressure in the nose will persist for a few weeks.
In the first few days after rhinoplasty, regular suctioning of the nose can be a relief for the patient. It is no longer necessary to cover the face too tightly.
During the initial period, patients will have regular appointments for follow-up care (e.g. removal of the tamponade, change of nasal plaster).
It can take up to a year for the nose to heal completely.
Serious complications are extremely rare. However, an obstruction to nasal breathing or a dry nose cannot be completely ruled out as a result of the correction. In very rare cases, a follow-up operation may be necessary a few months after rhinoplasty.
Like any surgical procedure, rhinoplasty is associated with certain risks. However, a correctly performed rhinoplasty does not usually pose a major risk to the patient's health. Serious complications only occur in very rare cases after rhinoplasty, such as
- Injuries to the tear duct,
- purulent wound infections,
- embolisms and
- thromboses
occur.
Reduction in the sensitivity of the nose to touch
One possible complication is a change in the sensitivity of the nose to touch. It is possible that the nose and the surrounding skin areas of the cheeks and upper lip may show a reduction in sensitivity to touch in the first few weeks after rhinoplasty.
Cartilage damage
Cartilage damage can occur as a result of scarring and circulatory disorders of the inner nasal mucosa. This can occur in particular after extensive rhinoplasty, especially on the nasal septum.
This very rare complication can affect both the shape and function of the nose.
Changes in shape
Changes in shape are one of the most common complications of rhinoplasty. These are caused by uneven scarring on the bone and cartilage structure of the nose.
Sometimes these irregularities and changes in shape do not disappear or only disappear very slowly in the weeks following rhinoplasty. In this case, a minor follow-up correction may be necessary.
Prevention of complications during rhinoplasty
To prevent complications during rhinoplasty, the surgeon must be aware of any existing illnesses or allergies the patient may have, for example to medication or care products.
Coagulation disorders must also be ruled out. If the patient is prone to conspicuous bruising or persistent bleeding after minor injuries, this could be an indication of this.
Rhinoplasty can permanently change and refine the size and shape of the nose according to the patient's wishes. For example, a nose correction can effectively reduce nasal humps and oversized nostrils. A wide nose can be narrowed and a crooked nose can be straightened.
If the patient has a pronounced crooked nose or saddle nose, cartilage or bone must sometimes be transplanted to achieve the desired result.
Problems with the shaping of the nose or the subsequent functionality of nasal breathing should be prevented. For this reason, previous injuries or operations on the nose must be taken into account when planning the rhinoplasty.
The result of rhinoplasty can be characterized by
- coarse-pored, oily skin, which prevents the formation of a fine nasal tip, for example, or
- very fine skin, which makes the contours of the bone and cartilage framework more prominent,
can be influenced. As a rule, however, the desired result of a nose correction can be achieved with modern plastic surgery methods.
