Nasal reconstruction or rhinoplasty, one of the first cosmetic procedures ever developed, is among those which are most frequently performed today.   Thousands of people each year undergo rhinoplasty in order to improve the appearance of their noses.  Typical reasons for this 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 in which deformities of the nose are corrected by removing, rearranging or reshaping bone or cartilage.  Prior to 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 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.

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

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