Plastic nose surgery (Rhinoplasty)

Duration of operation: 1-2 hours
Anaesthetic: general anaesthetic
Minimum stay in Sopron (from a surgical point of view): 1 night
Recommended stay: 1 week
Stitch removal: 7-10 days after surgery

The plastic nose surgery means the changing the shape of the nose by an operative way. Not fit into the face harmony, too big, hooked, wide, oblique or any parts of a disproportionate nose could be corrected with plastic nose surgery. In majority of the cases the problem is hereditary, however it appears only after the age of 16- 18; seldom is an earlier injury or consequence of a nasal bone break. The operation usually is done over the age of 18, however there is no upper age limit.

Consultation preceding the operation:

Very important is the thorough preceding consultation. The surgeon should clearly know the patient's demand, conceptions, while the patient should know what kind of alterations can be reached on oneself's nose. Unfortunately, not all nose form can be attained; the possibilities are narrowed down by the original anatomy. In collective designing, the computer modelling is an assistance. Digital pictures taken of the patients nose, are than with the help of the computer prepared, to attainable nose forms, so that the patient together with the surgeon can choose the most ideal one.

The essence of nose operations:

The essence of the operations is to change the nose, its bony, cartilage frame.

Two types of plastic nose surgery:

Complete nose surgery: By chiselling and crushing of the nose bone, a smaller, narrower nose back can be formed. It is possible to decrease the nose cartilage, altering its arc position to each other, and if required shortening the soft parts of the nose wings.

Partial plastic nose surgery: this is not usual, from above only one or the other is done. The nose surgery is usually made with an inner cut through the opening of the nose (closed technique); hence the operation leaves no scars on the nose skin. If the nose wings reduction is necessary too, this can be solved by placing the hardly visible scars into the nose wing channel.

More often the open technique is applied, which helps to carry out a more precise intervention. With the open technique, the skin between the two nostrils, the so-called columella a 3-4 mm incision is completed, that will disappear later without any trace.
Should the patient have respiration problems through the nose as well, together with plastic nose surgery, the nasal septum operation can also be done with similarly good results. The combined operation has the advantage that the patient doesn't have to go through two operations and two recovery periods.

How does the operation going on?

Normally, the operation is executed in general anaesthesia. The necessary preceding laboratory (blood, urine, ECG) examinations can be performed in our clinic. The operation takes about 1-3 hours. Following the operation a tampon is placed into the nostrils for one day , while a cast is placed on the back of the nose. The patients spend the first night in the clinic, but next morning after taking the tampons out, they can go home. Generally there is no pain; however breathing is causing unpleasantness, since the patient can only take air through the mouth for the first night after the operation.

Post operational information:

Wearing the cast is normally necessary for one week. During this time, resting is suggested. The developed bruises on the eyelids are absorbed within two weeks. Icing 4 - 6 times daily for 20 - 25 minutes can shorten this. In the first week, resting should be in half sitting position, nose blowing, bending, lifting heavy objects, consuming hot or spicy meals or alcohol are forbidden. To improve the nose breathing, nose drops or nose creams can be used. After one week you have to come for a check-up and also for the cast removal. The removing of the stitches is normally not necessary, since the stitches are absorbing themselves. Important: following the removal of the cast a significant improvement is experienced compared to before the operation, however to reach the nose's final shape further 2-3 months are required. Sunbathing and solarium are forbidden for one and a half months after the operation, the nose should be saved from every harm. Wearing eyeglasses is upon the individual responsibility. The next control takes place in 1,5 - 2 months.

What kind of complications could arise from the plastic nose surgery?

• Bleeding or inflammation: can occur in 1-2%, can be overcomed by tighter tampons or the use of antibiotics.
• Serum mucus through nostrils lasting for weeks, is very rare
• Nose back or nose peak sensibility decreases by touching is seldom, recovers itself in a few months.
• The narrowing of one or both nostrils (only frequent in per thousand)
• Necroses of cartilage are regular in per thousand, could deform the nose and newer operations might be needed.
• Following the operation of one or two months, disadvantageous alterations are seldom on the nose (e.g. small shaft obliqueness or beneath the skin touchable little bump, perhaps change of the nose peak position). This is the own reaction of the organism not a complication. Later a small correction operation might be needed.