PROCEDURE:
- Rhinoplasty can be done for functional or cosmetic reasons, but both are interlinked.
- It aims to provide the nose with good unobstructed breathing and cosmesis.
- Rhinoplasty is a complex surgery that can vary greatly depending on the presenting problem and thus requires adequate evaluation.
PRE-OPERATIVE:
- Please stop any over-the-counter herbs, vitamins, or drugs 2 weeks prior to your scheduled surgery.
- Disprin, NSAIDS and blood thinners should be stopped 7 days prior to surgery unless specified or instructed differently by Dr F. Spruyt. This is done to prevent excessive bleeding.
- NO SMOKING is allowed within 4 weeks of your surgery up to and including 4 weeks after surgery.
- You should be fasted for 8 hours prior to your scheduled surgery.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, that will be easy to change into after your surgery.
- Please be at the hospital 2 hours prior to your surgery to allow for admission and preparation.
- You will be counselled on the risks, complications, and healing process prior to your surgery. If you have any questions, please write them down and bring them with you so that they may be discussed prior to surgery.
PROCEDURE:
- The procedure takes approximately 1-5 hours depending on the surgery combination.
- The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, but additional pain blocks will be administered in theatre to reduce post-operative pain.
- Rhinoplasty can be open or closed though mostly open and may require cartilage grafts and incisions at other locations e.g. rib cartilage, temporal fascia etc.
- External splints and intranasal splints/packs are placed as required.
POST-OPERATIVE:
- Elevate your head for the first 48 hours by sleeping with 2 pillows underneath your head.
- An icepack over the lower forehead/upper nose should be applied every 4-6 hours for the first 24 hours to reduce swelling.
- Please take your medication as prescribed.
- Do not blow or rub your nose for the first few weeks post surgery. Only nasal saline drops may be used and gentle dabbing may be performed.
- Bruising and swelling after surgery is to be expected and may worsen over a 48-72 hour period.
- Swelling will start to reduce after 3 days but may persist for up to 6 weeks.
- You may even feel swelling up to 1 year post surgery, although not visible.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS:
- Hematoma (blood collection)
- Tissue necrosis
- Septal perforations
- Sensory changes (commonly numbness but will improve over a 3-6 month period)
- Abnormal scars and/or sub optimal cosmesis.
- Sub optimal functional improvement.
CARE AT HOME:
- Please phone the rooms for a follow up appointment 7 days post-surgery if one has not been provided.
- Any sign of infection (excessive pain, heat, swelling or drainage of puss) must be reported immediately.
- No strenuous exercise for at least 2 weeks post surgery.
- No heavy lifting for 3 weeks post surgery.
- No “pull-over” clothing is to be worn for 2 weeks post surgery.
- Avoid blowing your nose or rubbing the area for 6 weeks post surgery.