One of the most commonly heard about cosmetic procedures is a “nose job” which medically is known as a Rhinoplasty. It is done to change the shape of the nose and to make it more suited to the overall structure of the face. Many people, males and females alike, are unhappy with the way their nose looks. Rhinoplasty offers a permanent solution to the problem by reshaping the nose. Rhinoplasty is not only for cosmetic reasons it may also be done to correct some defects which may be causing breathing problems in the patient.
Who can opt for rhinoplasty?
Mostly all people want to undergo rhinoplasty to improve their appearance and attain some balance in their facial features. However, some people under nose surgery to alleviate some medical problems like breathing difficulties. Anyone who feels that their nose is too big or too small and it does not complement the rest of the facial features can opt for rhinoplasty. Some people also have a bumpy nose where the upper half of the nose has a certain amount structural irregularity. People can have problems of protruding nose tip, crooked nose, an enlarged tip, big flared nostrils or an asymmetrical nose due to trauma or injury. Though many youngsters want to undergo rhinoplasty at a very young age, it is best to wait until a certain age before undergoing rhinoplasty to ensure that the nose has fully developed. Rhinoplasty can modify the shape and the size of the nose. To balance out the proportions of the face, sometimes cosmetic surgeons may suggest additional procedures like chin implants for restoring the overall balance of the face. Rhinoplasty can change the shape of the nostrils, remove the crookedness, modify the shape of the nose tip and change the shape of the Cupid’s bow, which is the dent between the nose and the upper lips. In most cases, the scars are concealed inside the nose or are placed outside the nose in a manner so that they are not bluntly visible. The aim is to keep post- operative scarring to a minimum. Rhinoplasty can be of open or the closed types. The distinction between the two types of rhinoplasty is based on the location where the incisions are made. In open rhinoplasty the incisions are made outside the nose while in closed rhinoplasty the incisions are made inside the nose.
Apart from cosmetic reasons, rhinoplasty is also done for functional reasons to correct any structural abnormalities which may be causing the patient to have breathing problems. It can happen due to trauma, congenital defects or due to deviated septum. The rhinoplasty which is carried out to correct deviated septum is known as Septoplasty. Our nostrils are divided into two by a bone and a cartilage. Deviated septum is caused due to the deviation or displacement of this bone and cartilage. The lower portion of the septum ends on the anterior nasal spine. The septum is considered to be deviated when instead of dividing the passageway into two equal parts it gets shifted to one side. The septum may curve out or bend sideways and in both cases the passage for the air is blocked. In Septoplasty, this displacement is corrected and the septum is centered in the middle of the nose. Deviated septum can cause breathing difficulties through both the air passages. Some patients may also experience bleeding as the air which flows through the passage is very drying. In Septoplasty, the deviation is corrected by taking the pieces of bone or the cartilages and repositioning them correctly. If a patient is experiencing extreme difficulties in breathing, a correction of a deviated septum is necessary.
Risks of Septoplasty:-
In addition to the some of the common risks that are associated with all types of surgery, there are certain specific risks that are associated with Septoplasty.
- Unwanted change in the shape of the nose.
- Septal perforation which is an opening in the septum.
- Incomplete correction of the problem that is persistent breathing problem despite the surgery.
- Septal hematoma.
- Numbness in lips and gums.
Sometimes a secondary surgery may be required in cases where the desired outcome is not achieved in one surgery.
To avoid any unwanted outcomes or incomplete results it is very important to communicate with your surgeon. A physical examination of your nose will be done before the surgery and your surgeon will be able to explain to you the possible outcomes of the surgery. Sometimes during the surgery incisions may have to be made between the nostrils and sometimes the nasal bones may have to be cut to reposition the deviated septum. For some weeks after the procedure you will be required to keep your head elevated, avoid any physically exerting activities like sports or exercising.