Medical professionals call the typical “nose job,” a rhinoplasty. Although it is a popular elective surgery, it also has a lot of value as a reconstructive surgery to restore function to the nose. Plastic surgery candidates can make their nose smaller, or even change its shape. Having a skillful surgeon is absolutely necessary, since poor technique can lead to a secondary surgery almost 20 percent of the time.
Rhinoplasty was first introduced to the medical field in 500 B.C. by an Indian physician named Sushra, published writings on a surgical technique to reconstruct the nose using skin flaps from the forehead. A number of these techniques, including the “closed” incision are still used today. Like other plastic surgery procedures, rhinoplasty developed tremendously in the 20th century when wounded soldiers needed reconstructive surgery after returning home from war. A pioneering plastic surgeon, Dr. Jacques Joseph, developed the “open” incision. Plastic surgeons who perform this procedure tend to specialize in this area, and these specialists tend to approach it artistically because they are operating on a very prominent part of the face.
Today, the surgery is used equally for both reconstruction, and cosmetic purposes. Cosmetic surgeries are popular among ethnic groups; some tend to have wide nostrils, while others may have a hump on the nasal bridge. Since most plastic surgeons prefer to use the open incision technique, the procedure begins with making a v-shaped incision below the nostrils to separate the skin and soft tissue from the bone and cartilage underneath. This allows the surgeon to access the excess bone and cartilage, or graft cartilage from the septum, if they need to reshape the nose. From there, they will use a number of various tools to sculpt the nose into a more desirable shape. When the operation is complete, the doctor will suture the wound.
The closed technique involves making an incision inside the nostrils, and using the same tools to reshape the nose underneath the skin. With this technique, there are no scars or sutures; instead, the doctor will use a splint to set the nose. Birth defects, breathing problems, and trauma will often make a patient eligible for reconstructive surgery. In this instance, the surgeon will make the same incision, and then reset the bones, open the nasal passages, or completely reconstruct nose.
In either situation, having an experienced, knowledgeable surgeon can help prevent complications that may require additional surgery, which is fairly common. Recovery from rhinoplasty takes about two weeks, and there may be some slight nose sifting for up to one year afterward. Although most doctors prefer to do an open surgery to prevent complications, selecting a good surgeon should be based on overall skill.
The nose is a very significant, and prominent part of the face; and its functionality is vital. Rhinoplasty can build confidence and restore a patient's life to normalcy. However, it is a complicated surgery that can sometimes require additional surgeries, depending on the surgeon's skills.
