Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Nose reshaping may involve several aspects of the nose. A prominent hump on top of the nose (dorsal hump) is treated by shaving down the bone and cartilage and infracturing (breaking the bones on either side). Dorsal hump reduction not only reduces the hump to neutral or even concave, but also elevates the tip of the nose. A full or boxy tip is treated by cartilage reduction and reshaping, sometimes with a cartilage graft to elevate the nasal tip. The ala, or nostrils, can also be reduced, if desired.

Complete rhinoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. Tip rhinoplasty is performed under general or sometimes local anesthesia. If infracturing is required, as with a complete rhinoplasty, a splint is placed on top of the nose for five days. Internal incisions use dissolvable stitches. A small external incision just above the lip requires stitches which are removed at five to seven days. Nasal packing is required for complete rhinoplasty, which is removed the next day after surgery. Down time is minimal for tip rhinoplasty. Complete rhinoplasty requires avoiding sports and strenuous activity for four weeks to allow the nasal bones to heal.