Rhinoplasty or Nose Plastic Surgery in Costa Rica

All noses are different, some very long, some wide, some with “humps” or very small, and so on. Rarely can you find two identical noses. The plastic surgeon shapes the nose for it to be in accordance with the facial features.

At what age is recommended rhinoplasty?

If there is a deformity and / or severe respiratory defect should be corrected in childhood. Otherwise, you must wait for the nose is sufficiently developed or mature. This is a woman around 14 years and man approximately at 16 years. At these ages usually the nose is sufficiently developed for surgical correction. Although it is necessary to individualize each case, as some patients noses “mature” at younger ages.

Early correction of unwanted nasal deformities gives greater confidence and self esteem to the person. Also in many cases rhinoplasty is performed as part of a complete facial rejuvenation program to eliminate the effects of aging nose.

Technique:

A nose surgery is performed under general anesthesia, although there may be cases in which a local anesthetic. This will depend on the intensity or complication of the procedure performed. Preferably local anesthesia is used together with a sedative to keep the patient relaxed and asleep. In difficult cases, the operation takes approximately one to two hours

To ensure that any scar to occur is not visible, incisions are made inside the nose. Only in very complicated or individual external incisions will be made to correct all the deformities. During the process, the skin over the nose is separated from the structure of cartilage and bone. Rising the skin, Dr. Badilla proceeds to sculpt the support frame to achieve the desired shape. The level of restructuring depend on the needs and wishes of the patient and the problem he / she is present. When you finish this stage of the procedure, the skin is repositioned on the bone and cartilage.

After the surgery, a small bandage or adhesive “tape” is placed on the nose, which is kept for a week and if necessary plaster cast is placed on the nasal dorsum for 5 days.

During the first 24 hours you place a small gauze pad at the entrance of the nose, to collect the secretions. If necessary, put blockages in the nostrils, thus, patients have a more comfortable postoperative swollen and usually less. The patient can leave at 6 hours after the operation safely.

Postoperative:

The patient should not expect to see results immediately after the operation. There is a normal healing process in which there is inflammation and “bruises” which are gradually eliminated. After a week of surgery the “bruises” and inflammation largely disappear. The patient can usually return to school or work at this time. Overall, about 80% of inflammation disappears within 2 weeks, 90% in two to three months. Obtain the final result per year and in some cases, it takes longer.

The percentage of improvement depends on the extent of the correction and the basic structure of the nose. A deformed nose frankly shows a dramatic change. A small “hump” or point a little broad, show discrete changes. The intention of the surgeon should be artistically molded nose according to the features of the person and not making dramatic changes, or noses “artificial” noticeable over long distances that they are operated noses.

Complications:

• Abnormal shape of the nose (pinched tip, polly beak, pug nose, should be corrected by secondary surgery, often to use a nasal implant.
• Airway obstruction
• Reaction to anesthesia
• Asymmetry
• Bleeding (may require nasal packing to control)
• Ruptura de vasos sanguíneos
• Depression
• Discoloration
• Extrusion (implants)
• Infection (risk is less than 1%).
• Signs of infection: pain, swelling, heat, redness
• Internal scar / adhesions (synechiae)
• Keloid (thick scar)
• Loss of smell
• The loss of structural support
• Nerve damage
• Numbness
• Pain
• Septal perforation
• Permanent numbness (risk is less than 1%)
• Reactions to medications
• Septal hematoma
• Sinusitis (treatment with antibiotics and drugs that reduce the size of the nasal mucosa)
• Irregularities of the skin
• Skin necrosis or skin death (1500% more likely with smokers)
• Slow healing
• Swelling
• Visible scar

Lesion of blood vessel : After surgery, small broken blood vessels appear as tiny red spots on the skin surface. These are generally small, but may be permanent. This rarely happens, but it is a possibility that should be considered.

Epistaxis : Bleeding may occur for up to four weeks after the operation. The patient should resist any temptation to shake or touch your nose to minimize bleeding.

Wound infection: The rate of wound infection following rhinoplasty is less than 2%. Abscesses, cellulitis or granuloma can be treated with antibiotics and drainage. The use of an implant increases the likelihood of infection.

Risk of smoking: Smoking reduces your body’s circulation and vascularity. This means the difficulty of bringing much needed oxygen to tissues and greatly increases the risk of slow healing and other complications. It is important to stop smoking for at least 4 weeks before and after surgery.

Additional surgery required: If there are complications, it will require additional surgery or other treatments. Even though risks and complications occur infrequently, the risks cited are particularly associated with rhinoplasty. There may be other complications and risks associated with anesthesia or other procedures, but are much less common.

When rhinoplasty is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, complications are rare and usually minor. However, all surgery carries the risk of complications and unwanted results. You can reduce your risks by closely following your surgeon’s instructions both before and after surgery.