We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Reconstructive Rhinoplasty?

By J.M. Densing
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,673
Share

Reconstructive rhinoplasty, also known as a "nose job," is surgery to correct defects on a patient's nose, which includes returning it to proper functioning condition and restoring its appearance. These defects can occur from trauma, developmental deformity, or certain illnesses. The surgery usually involves making incisions in the skin and reshaping the nasal structure. In some cases, it can involve completely rebuilding damaged parts using tissue from other areas of the body. Recovery from the surgery generally takes a few weeks.

Reconstructive rhinoplasty can be needed for a variety of reasons. Severe defects to the nose can drastically alter an individual's appearance, and even minor ones can cause issues that affect the person's quality of life. Aside from concerns about appearance, the defect can often cause difficulty breathing and pain. The goal of surgery is usually to restore a pleasing, symmetrical appearance and normal breathing.

There are many types of nasal defects that can make reconstructive rhinoplasty necessary. Broken noses frequently heal in a way that leaves them crooked, thereby altering appearance and partially blocking the airways, and causing breathing difficulties and discomfort. Skin cancer treatment can result in missing tissue after removal of malignant tumors, requiring reconstruction of the damaged area. Defects resulting from craniofacial malformations, such as a cleft lip or palate, can also be repaired with reconstructive rhinoplasty.

The process of reconstructive rhinoplasty can range from simple to extremely complex, depending on the severity of the defect. A simple surgery usually starts with incisions to the skin and soft tissues in a place where they will not be noticeable when healed, such as the area between the nostrils or the interior of the nose. This allows access to the structural components of the nose, such as the bones and cartilage, which the surgeon reshapes and repairs. Then the tissues are replaced over the repaired structure, and the incisions are closed.

More complex reconstructive rhinoplasty procedures can involve multiple surgeries. When extensive reconstruction is needed, additional surgeries are performed to harvest tissues for the process from other parts of the body, such as cartilage from the ears or skin and soft tissue from the forehead. The reconstructive process is often performed in stages with some time for healing between each step; cartilage, for example, might be rebuilt in one surgery followed by a separate skin graft procedure.

The recovery from reconstructive rhinoplasty takes at least a week. Packing or nasal supports called stents are typically placed inside the nose to provide stability for the first few days of the healing process. A splint is worn externally for at least a week for protection and added support. Most patients only report mild discomfort. Strenuous activity should be avoided for about two weeks, and contact sports aren't recommended for at least six months.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-reconstructive-rhinoplasty.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.