“Do you wear a cast after rhinoplasty?”
I want to change the shape of my nose. Do you wear a cast after rhinoplasty?
2 Answers
If by "cast" you mean "splint", then the answer is yes, typically, at least in my current plastic surgery practice. I routinely place both internal nasal splints called "Doyle" splints-one through each nostril, secured to one another with a temporary silk stitch-as well as an external splint called a "Denver" splint, which is a combination molded piece of aluminum attached by Velcro to another molded piece of material with adhesive that sticks to your nose, secured along with SteriStrips placed on your nasal skin. I use a Denver external nasal splint and Doyle internal nasal splints for those who have broken noses requiring resetting, as well as for those undergoing a full cosmetic rhinoplasty, including work on the nasal septum (the wall separating your nasal passages) and the nasal bones (the hard upper 1/3 of your nose), which are not infrequently and intentionally broken by techniques called osteotomies, usually to help narrow a wide nose. I typically remove Doyles at one week postoperatively, while having patients continue to protect the external nose with the Denver until the 2nd postoperative week. For another month thereafter, patients still have to protect the nose against inadvertent injury, as it usually takes six (6) full weeks for bones to heal (if they were broken by traumatic injury or by planned osteotomies). For less extensive rhinoplasty, for example, for minor revisions, tip work, or procedures to reduce the size of the nostrils (called 'alar base' or 'Weir' excision), a splint may not be necessary. Seek a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon or Facial Plastic Surgeon (for the latter, one trained in Otolaryngology, or 'ENT') to discuss your rhinoplasty goals and which techniques would be best to address them. Depending on the operative plan, the extent of 'casting' or splinting becomes apparent. Good luck to you! Nirav B. Patel, MD, JD, FACS, FCLM Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, & Oculoplastic Surgery Patel Plastic Surgery, LLC 1519 Johnson Ferry Road Suite 250 East Cobb, GA 30062 Office 470-395-6932 Fax 470-395-6951 https://www.drpatelplasticsurgery.com/
Yes you do its called nasal splint Dr. G
