Function and Cosmetic Nasal Surgery Explored

By D.J. Verret, MD

Rhinoplasty, or nose job surgery, is a surgical procedure aimed at improving some aspect of the nose. The surgery can be undertaken to change the look of the nose or to improve breathing through the nose. Since rhinoplasty surgery is often difficult to perform, it is imperative to clearly define your goals and understand that some of the goals may have to be compromised to ensure that you can still breathe through your nose at the end of surgery.

When undergoing rhinoplasty surgery, unfortunately patient desires are not always attainable. It is imperative to talk with a surgeon who will listen to your goals of surgery and then determine what can safely be done. The ultimate goal of any nasal surgery is creating a nose which is elegant and through which you can breathe. Unfortunately, sometimes the patient desire for a certain look will produce a nose through which they cannot breathe.

When considering rhinoplasty surgery, many questions can arise. Some of these are included in this paragraph. Can a rhinoplasty surgery address both problems with nasal breathing and the look of the nose? Combined procedures are often undertaken to address both concerns. In either procedure, it is imperative that functional considerations be maintained. In some cases, the desires of the patient cannot be achieved because it would create the inability to breath out of the nose.

What type of anesthesia is needed for nasal surgery? The nose is a very sensitive structure with many different nerves providing innervations. Because of this, a deep intravenous sedation or general anesthesia is needed to undergo any type of rhinoplasty procedure. In some cases, cartilage must be taken from the rib to recreate lost structure. In these cases, an overnight stay in the hospital may be necessary.

If you are considering nasal reshaping surgery, find a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty surgery. Some surgeons will incorporate digital imaging into their consultation process to illustrate what you can expect after surgery. - 30516

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