Definition and objectives

Nose surgery or rhinoplasty consists in modifying the appearance of the nose according to the patient’s wishes. A new computer technique, called photomorphing, allows the patient to choose his or her aesthetic plan. This plan, while devoid of any contractual value as such, guides the surgeon towards the desired type of result.

The surgeon can act on:

- tip of the nose,

- bumps on the nose,

- size of the nose,

- direction of the nose.

The operation consists in reassembling the structures that make up the nose, in other words the bone and cartilage components of the upper edge of the nose and/or small cartilage at the tip of the nose to achieve as natural a result as possible.

More and more men want surgery to balance the nose, generally because of unsightly deviations or old injuries.

It should be remembered that very slight abnormalities of the nose can often be treated without surgery (for example to project the nose) using injectable resorbable products which continue to work over several months).

In some cases, selected after a full radiological examination, the practitioner may decide to carry out re-establishment of the nose’s respiratory function at the same time as cosmetic correction.

Prior to surgery

A preoperative examination is carried out in the course of which the patient informs the anaesthetist of his or her surgical history and any medication taken.

The consultation begins with a photo session which helps define a treatment plan on the basis of the different photographs taken (profile, ¾ and face on).

The patient is hospitalised for 1 to 2 days depending on the complexity of the operation.

The operation

The operation takes 1h to 1h30. Either general or locoregional anaesthesia is used. This operation is only very slightly painful and there is usually no apparent scarring by closed route, in other words as a result of the incision into the nostril. Nevertheless, a complex tip of the nose may leave a small 3mm scar by open route, in other words an incision extending to the collumella (beneath the nose).

After the operation, cotton wool is inserted into the nostril and a dressing is applied to the bridge of the nose.

After the operation

Postoperative care is generally straightforward. A small self-adhesive resin dressing is placed on the bridge of the nose and kept on for 5 days and the 2 cotton wool pads applied to the opening of the nostrils are removed they day after surgery without causing any pain.

Rare instance of ecchymoses around the eyes may occur but disappear within a few days. Should this occur, exposure to the sun must be avoided until this clears up.

In the first 10 days after surgery, the nose and interior of the nostrils must be cleaned with a salt water solution.

The nose is fragile to impact for one month. Exposure to the sun must be avoided until ecchymoses disappear.

Result

Analysis of the result is carried out by comparing the nose before and after surgery.

The results of the operation can be seen after 2 weeks and become fully apparent after several months. The nose continues to develop for one year, the time needed for it to heal.

Imperfect results

It is sometimes necessary to touch up small deformities (5% of cases) a year after the operation. This is to compensate for any healing problems that may arise and to achieve the desired result.