Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is surgery done to change the outside shape of the nose. Typically a patient is unhappy with the appearance of the nose because it draws attention away from the beauty of the eyes and lips. A hump on the bridge, a bulbous or saggy tip, asymmetry, or pinching can distract from the overall appearance. By correcting these issues, the focus of the face can then be the eyes, and that person's natural beauty can be revealed. Dr. Swartout strives for a natural, un-operated appearance using techniques designed to create a long-lasting nasal shape that will bring the nose into harmony with the rest of the face and improve breathing.

Question:

What is a safe age to consider nose surgery?

Answer:

It all depends on the particular patient.

If a patient's face is still growing, it is possible that a rhinoplasty could interfere with that growth and create asymmetry. Once fully grown, a rhinoplasty can be safely performed without this risk. A good rule of thumb for women is 12 months after onset of menstruation, and for a man is after 12 months have gone by without an increase in shoe size.

The other part of this question relates to the psychological development of the patient. Nose surgery can be a stress inducing event, and requires significant emotional maturity to thrive throughout the healing process. This readiness can be determined by discussing the surgery and the expected post-operative course. A mature patient will be realistic about the outcome and ask appropriate questions.

Question:

What is the difference between the open and the closed rhinoplasty?

Answer:

With the closed approach, or endonasal approach, all the incisions are hidden inside the nose. With the open approach, there is a small incision along the columella (the skin between the nostrils) on the undersurface of the nose. When this heals it is typically difficult to see.

Your surgeon will examine your nose and discuss your surgical goals to determine which technique will be best for you. Some areas of correction, like straightening the upper third of the nose or removing a hump may be adequately achieved using the endonasal approach. Other corrections, like straightening out the middle section of the nose (the soft, cartilage part) or improving a crooked tip, may require the open approach.

Question:

What is the septum?

Answer:

The septum is the wall between the two nostrils that divides the air passageway into a right and a left side. Some people have a crooked (or deviated) septum. This means that the twisted cartilage is taking up more space in the nose and preventing the passage of air.

If your septum is crooked and you have trouble breathing it can be straightened out in a surgery. This will improve the ease of air passage through the nose, allowing for easier nasal breathing.