Rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure for correcting the various nasal deformities such as the nasal hump, a crooked nose, a depressed or shapeless nasal tip and large nostrils. The nose is located at the most central point of the face and is surrounded by all the rest facial features. Therefore, every nasal deformity has a negative impact on the aesthetic value of the face. It is most common for every human being to regard one’s eyes as the primary facial feature.
The truth however is that the nose is the facial feature that will make the difference as to how attractive a person is. A well-shaped and beautiful nose that is in harmony with the surrounding face will add aesthetic value even to a face that has aesthetically unattractive features.
Rhinoplasty is a specialized plastic surgery that is best done after a young person has finished growing. This usually means around the age of 17. The patient must set realistic and specific expectations as to what the outcome will be from enhancing the form of the nose. The most modern surgical technique to perform rhinoplasty is an open rhinoplasty procedure that is performed globally by distinguished ENT surgeons. It offers to the surgeon the ability to directly view the entire anatomical structure of the nose, correct even minor anatomical abnormalities, postoperative complications (revision rhinoplasty) from previous failed surgery, congenital anatomical abnormalities of the nose etc.
Rhinoplasty is a form of art. The use of modern surgical techniques is not enough, it is also required that the surgeon who performs the operation has a sense of beauty. Not every nose fits every face. Beyond the aesthetic analysis of each face and the personal requests of the patient, many elements should also be evaluated so that the «new nose» blends in perfectly with the surrounding face and so that there is no evident sigh that the nose has undergone surgery.
The duration of the surgery depends on the experience of the surgeon who performs the operation and on the complexity of the surgery. Generally, it lasts from 1.30 h to 2.00 h. The patient remains in hospital or clinic for a few hours and afterwards he can return to his own home Because of its external approach, rhinoplasty is considered to be a painless procedure.
After the end of surgery no gauzes are placed inside the nose. In the following hours, because of the fracture of the nasal bones, occurs periorbital edema and ecchymosis,which however covers a small area,is not permanent and disappears after 4 to 6 days.
The special stickers will be removed on the sixth day after surgery. At that point, the nose is pretty swollen but you can go outside without anyone noticing it. The swelling subsides in the next 3 to 4 weeks but the nose reaches its final shape after several months (7-9). How long it will take for the swelling to disappear depends on the skin type of each patient.
Ioannis Petropoulos, MD, FEAFPRS
ENT Surgeon, Henry Dunant Hospital Center
info@petropoulosmd.gr