The nose is the most visible part of the face, and it is its shape and general appearance that determine the perception of a person by others. Many of us are unhappy with our nose: some do not like its size or shape, others suffer from a hump or too wide wings, and still others want to fix the tip of the nose that is perkly sticking up or, conversely, drooping down. All these problems are quite simply solved to the delight of patients with the help of one of the most ancient plastic surgeries - rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty- surgery to correct (change) the shape or size of the nose, which is aimed at improving its appearance, as well as eliminating problems with nasal breathing and creating a psychologically comfortable state of the patient.
Types of rhinoplasty
Distinguish between aesthetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty.
The main goal of aesthetic rhinoplasty is to correct the "mistake" of nature by changing the shape or size of the nose, and thus to give the face a more harmonious and attractive appearance. Aesthetic rhinoplasty can be either complete or superficial (partial).
Complete rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery during which the surgeon touches all the structural parts of the so-called external nose: bone tissue, cartilaginous tissue, as well as soft tissue. Such an operation is indicated for patients wishing to reduce the length or width of the nose, change the saddle shape, and remove the hump.
Partial (or superficial) rhinoplasty is an operation to correct (change) the shape of the nose, when the surgeon is limited to processing only some of the outer parts of the nose, without affecting the bone tissue. Partial rhinoplasty is performed if it is necessary to correct the tip of the nose or reduce the wings, although a complete rhinoplasty may also be necessary to eliminate such problems - this is decided by the doctor after examination and conversation with the patient.
Reconstructive rhinoplasty is aimed primarily at solving such a problem as eliminating breathing difficulties due to curvature of the nasal septum or hypertrophy of the turbinates. Reconstructive rhinoplasty involves the restoration of the appearance of the nose, damaged (for example, "slid to the side" due to a fracture), as well as partially or completely lost due to an injury. This type of operation is used if it is necessary to correct the congenital deformity of the osteochondral skeleton in the nasal region. Sometimes a plastic surgeon has to literally "sculpt" a new nose, using the cartilage of the auricles or costal cartilage (in especially severe cases), as well as artificial materials.
Often, the patient has to undergo surgical intervention not so much for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes, but to restore normal breathing, which was disturbed due to the deformation of the nasal septum received during the trauma. Typically, post-traumatic surgery includes nasal plastic surgery and septoplasty (surgery aimed at correcting the nasal septum, its main goal is to restore normal nasal breathing).
Preparing for rhinoplasty surgery
Before deciding on an operation, the patient, together with the plastic surgeon, discusses the future parameters and appearance of the nose, it turns out what exactly the patient wants to achieve, and the final result is simulated using a computer. This approach helps to "try on" the new nose to the patient's face before the operation and to make sure that his new appearance does not violate the overall proportions of the face, and the shape of the nose will harmoniously blend with all facial features.
It should also be borne in mind that rhinoplasty is not done if the patient has not reached the age of 17-18. This is due to the growth of the body and the formation of cartilage and bone skeleton, the consequences of rhinoplasty at an earlier age can be unpredictable. But it is preferable to resort to rhinoplasty no earlier than 21 years old - doctors say that it is by this age that the bone skeleton is finally formed.
Features of nose correction surgery
Rhinoplasty is recognized as one of the most difficult plastic surgeries: after all, it is important not only to change the nose and give it the desired size or shape, but also not to disturb nasal breathing. Therefore, such an operation should be done only by an experienced specialist who has already proven himself and has good patient reviews.
Rhinoplasty can be performed with both open and closed access. Open access involves a skin incision from the outside, which in the end will be almost invisible. With a closed access, surgical intervention is carried out from the side of the nasal mucosa (through the nostrils) without any external incisions and does not leave any traces at all. Closed rhinoplasty is considered to be more difficult and requires the special skill of a plastic surgeon.
The type of access is determined directly at the consultation and depends on many factors: the shape of the nose, features of its structure and the desired end result. The operation to correct the size or shape of the nose is done under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia: the choice of anesthesia is influenced by the complexity of the surgical intervention and the duration of the proposed operation. . . . In any case, the patient completely gets rid of pain and does not feel any discomfort.
Postoperative period
Rhinoplasty is a serious surgical intervention that requires not only the professional approach of the doctor, but also the responsibility of the patient himself during the rehabilitation period. The postoperative period is painless. Only the first few days, tampons, which make nasal breathing difficult, bring some inconvenience to the patient.
A fixing plaster bandage is applied to the nose, which is removed from time to time for skin care, in general, wearing such a bandage is mandatory for 7 to 10 days. During this time, primary edema usually disappears, and bruises and puffiness under the eyes disappear. Residual subcutaneous induration, almost invisible to others, disappears completely in the period of 6-8 months. It is after this time that the final result of rhinoplasty will be seen.
As a rule, the patient is discharged the next day after the operation, but he still remains under the supervision of a doctor, arriving at the clinic for examinations and dressings. The process of general recovery after rhinoplasty surgery takes about a month, during which the patient is prescribed to wear a special bandage in the nose area, as well as to limit physical activity and eliminate bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol).
A patient who has undergone rhinoplasty must undergo mandatory examinations with a plastic surgeon 3, 6 and 12 months after the operation.
Contraindications for rhinoplasty
An experienced plastic surgeon will refuse to perform the operation if the patient has a history of the following diseases:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- blood clotting disorders;
- chronic diseases of the liver and kidneys in the acute stage;
- oncological diseases;
- infectious diseases;
- mental illness.
Of course, rhinoplasty is a serious step in the life of a person who dreams of changing his nose, and at the same time his life. But many of us understand perfectly well: if any - even significant - figure flaws can be "masked" or even turned into advantages with the help of clothes, then an ugly nose is the first thing that others pay attention to when looking into a person's face. And if this very nose is too big or humped, then such a "spectacle" cannot be hidden in any way, it will always spoil the appearance and mood. Therefore, sometimes you need to decide on a surgical intervention and correct the shape or size of the nose, than suffer all your life, sighing every time you look at yourself in the mirror.