Rhinoplasty

The nose is one of the most prominent features of the face. A strong aesthetic balance is achieved when the nose is well proportioned to the face. The cause of nasal deformities may be either a result of previous injury or just normal development. There are many reasons why cosmetic surgery on the nose is contemplated. These include a large nasal hump, abnormal curvature of the nose, prominent tip or a large base. All of these as well as other less common abnormalities can be surgically corrected.

Rhinoplasty is performed under a general anaesthetic. In most case the incision is inside the nose with no visible scars. In some cases, especially if surgery to the tip is required, the access involves a small incision across the columella (the strip of tissue separating the nostrils). This is known as open rhinoplasty and heals with no visible scarring. The approach chosen will depend on what needs to be done to the nose. The surgery changes the shape of the nose by altering the underlying bone and cartilage structure, and then the skin is re-draped over the new structure.

The patient can experience some headaches and difficulty in breathing for a few days. The final result will take several months to appear before the swelling settles. In approximately 5% of patients a secondary procedure may be required to deal with minor irregularities.