The nose is the most visible part of the face, and it is its overall shape and appearance that determine a person’s perception by others. Many of us are not happy with our nose: some do not like its size or shape, others suffer from a very wide lump or wings, and others want to adjust the tip of the nose that rises or fallsdown. All these problems are solved simply for the satisfaction of patients with the help of one of the oldest plastic surgeries - rhinoplasty.
Rhinoplasty- surgery to correct (change) the shape or size of the nose, which aims to improve its appearance, as well as eliminate problems with breathing in the nose and create a psychologically comfortable state of the patient.
Types of rhinoplasty
Distinguish between aesthetic and reconstructive rhinoplasty.
The main purpose of aesthetic rhinoplasty is to correct the "mistake" of nature by changing the shape or size of the nose, and thus give the face a more harmonious and attractive appearance. Aesthetic rhinoplasty can be complete or superficial (partial).
Complete rhinoplasty is a plastic surgery during which the surgeon touches all the structural parts of the so-called outer nose: bone tissue, cartilage tissue, and soft tissue. Such an operation is indicated for patients who want to reduce the length or width of the nose, change the shape of the saddle and remove lumps.
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 touching the bone tissue. Partial rhinoplasty is performed if necessary to correct the tip of the nose or to reduce the arms, although a complete rhinoplasty may also be necessary to eliminate such problems - this is decided by the doctor after examination and talking to the patient.
Reconstructive rhinoplasty is primarily aimed at solving a problem such as eliminating breathing difficulties due to curvature of the nasal septum or turbine hypertrophy. Reconstructive rhinoplasty involves restoring the appearance of the nose, damaged (for example, "slipped sideways" due to a fracture), as well as partially or completely lost due to an injury. This type of surgery is used if necessary to correct congenital deformity of the osteochondral skeleton in the nasal region. Sometimes a plastic surgeon has to literally "sculpt" a new nose, using ear cartilage or coastal cartilage (in particularly severe cases), as well as artificial materials.
Often, the patient must undergo surgery not so much for cosmetic and aesthetic purposes, but to restore normal breathing, which was damaged due to deformity of the nasal septum received during trauma. Typically, post-traumatic surgery involves nasal plastic surgery and septoplasty (surgery aimed at correcting the nasal septum, its main purpose is to restore normal nasal breathing).
Preparing for rhinoplasty surgery
Before deciding on an operation, the patient, together with the plastic surgeon, discusses the next parameters and the 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 "test" the new nose on the patient's face before surgery and to make sure that his new appearance does not violate the overall proportions of the face, and the shape of the nose will blend harmoniously with allfacial features.
It should also be borne in mind that rhinoplasty is not performed if the patient has not reached the age of 17-18 years. 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 use it for rhinoplasty no earlier than 21 years - doctors say that it is from this age that the bone skeleton is finally formed.
Characteristics of nose correction surgery
Rhinoplasty is known 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 the nasal breathing. Therefore, such an operation should be performed only by an experienced specialist, who has already proven himself and has good patient evaluations.
Rhinoplasty can be performed with open and closed access. The open entrance involves a skin incision from the outside, which in the end will be almost invisible. With a closed access, the surgical intervention is performed by the nasal mucosa (through the nostrils) without any external incision and leaves no trace at all. Closed rhinoplasty is considered to be the most difficult and requires the special skill of a plastic surgeon.
The type of entry is determined directly in consultation and depends on many factors: the shape of the nose, the features of its structure and the desired end result. The operation to correct the size or shape of the nose is performed 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 is completely relieved of the 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 it difficult to breathe through the nose, bring some discomfort to the patient.
A fixative plaster bandage is applied to the nose, which is occasionally removed for skin care, generally, wearing such a bandage is mandatory for 7 to 10 days. During this time, the primary edema usually disappears, and bruising and puffiness of the eyes disappear. The remaining 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 the rhinoplasty will be visible.
As a rule, the patient is released the next day after surgery, but he still remains under the supervision of a doctor, arriving at the clinic for examinations and dressing. The process of general recovery after rhinoplasty surgery lasts about a month, during which the patient is prescribed to wear a special bandage in the nasal area, as well as to limit physical activity and eliminate bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol). ).
A patient who has undergone rhinoplasty should undergo mandatory examinations with a plastic surgeon 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.
Contraindications to 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 liver and kidney diseases in the acute phase;
- 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 there are - even flaws - figures can be "disguised" or even turned into advantages with the help of clothes, then an ugly nose is the first thing that others ipay attention when looking at a person faceAnd if this nose is too big or humble, then such a "spectacle" can not be hidden in any way, it will always spoil the look and mood. Therefore, sometimes you have to decide on a surgical intervention and correct the shape or size of the nose, rather than suffer all your life, sighing every time you look at yourself in the mirror.