I have patients that present to be because they feel that their nose is too big, crooked or hanging. A rhinoplasty can help with these problems. Usually the nose is broken down to three levels. The upper nose, also known as the nasal bridge is made up of bone. Work is done at this level if there is a bump or if the nose is too wide. The bump can be removed and the nose can be made thinner by doing osteotomies(changing the bone position). If the bump is large then usually the nasal bones will need to be reset because a space may develop in between the two bones as the bump is removed.
The middle of the nose is made up of cartilage, it is referred to as the upper lateral cartilages. Cartilage will have to be removed if there is a bump in this section of the nose. If the nose is crooked then the cartilage can be made straight or extra cartilage can be placed to help camouflage the crookedness of the nose. A good history and internal examination will reveal if there are any obstructions in the nasal passages. These obstructions can be fixed at the same time as the rhinoplasty.
The lower portion of the nose, the nasal tip, is also referred to as the lower lateral cartilages is made up of cartilage. The tip can be made smaller by removing cartilage and suturing the tip so that is is narrower. If the nasal base is wide then it can be thinned by making the nostrils smaller, skin is removed between the lip and nose. The scars usually look good providing they are placed in the right spot. The nasal tip can also be built up if need be, with cartilage, if it does not have enough projection.
Most rhinoplasties will take an hour or so. Generally patients do not complain of pain, more discomfort from the nasal congestion then anything else. Most patients will wear a splint on their nose for one week after the surgery to help protect the nasal bones.
Sharon T McLaughlin is a board certified plastic surgeon who has been in practice for 10 years in Long Island, New York. You can learn more about her practice at www.syossetplasticsurgery.com
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