Rhinoplasty - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of the rhinoplasty?
Any surgical intervention involves a risk level. This can be minimized by means of a medical assessment based on laboratory tests and clinical examination. For a period, an increased sensitivity may persist and the breathing may be slightly more difficult during the recovery period, but, by following the post-operative prescriptions, we can obtain the desired result.

What is the recovery period after rhinoplasty?
For 7 days, an external shaper on the nose will be maintained. Furthermore, ecchymoses (bruises) can occur around the eyes which are resorbed within approximately 10-15 days. The nose will remain more edemated after the surgery and it will gradually recover within approximately 30 days.

What type of anesthesia is employed in a rhinoplasty?
The rhinoplasty is performed with oro-tracheal intubation general anesthesia, thus eliminating the risk of pain and of blood aspiration during the intervention.

Is there any risk of nose deformation within a couple of years?
In case of a defficient cicatrisation with fibrosations and uncontrolled retractions of the tissues, the cartilage may be deformed, but in this case the correction can only be performed by the open rhinoplasty approach.

When is the closed rhinoplasty employed?
The closed technique involves an incision in the interior of the nostrils and is useful when only the correction of the septum and/or the removal of the dorsal nasal hump are intended.

What are the indications of the open approach?
The open approach involves an incision at the base of the nose and the dissection (decollation) of the tegument on the tip cartilages, thus allowing for the the correction of the nasal lobe. By means of this method, a small scar remains which fades out with time.

Can the rhinoplasty be performed in wintertime?
Winter is not a season preferable for rhinoplasty, as the prolonged exposure to very low temperatures during the winter is not recommended immediately after the surgery, due to the increased sensitivity of the nasal mucous in this period, while the prolonged exposure to sunshine during the summer is also not recommended.

Can the rhinoplasty be undergone before the age of 18?
In case of major aesthetic damages or of respiratory obstructions, the intervention can be conducted at any age, but in case of underaged patients the parents consent is required for enabling the child to get rid of the complexes which damage his or her self-esteem.

Can I wear glasses after a rhinoplasty?
Glass wearing is not recommended while the edema is still there, as subsequently to the cicatrisation there is the risk that bumps occur on the nose dorsal area.

How many hospitalization days does a rhinoplasty require?
24-48 hour’s hospitalization is required following the intervention, during which the nose is tented on the purpose of reducing the bleeding and the edema. After removing the tents, the patient is allowed to go home.