Rhinoplasty (Nose Job)

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Disclaimer: The details in this section are for general information only. Always check with your own doctor.

What gives the nose its shape?

The shape of the nose on the outside is due to the shape of bone and cartilage and the overlying skin. The top of the nose is made of bone shaped like a roof, which is hard. The middle and tip of the nose are made of cartilage which is softer. The skin varies in thickness from person to person, and also affects the shape.

Reasons for surgery

Improving the features of the nose and face by cosmetic surgery can also involve improving its function and help with breathing.
There is a great deal of variety in human appearance. Nasal shape depends on the bony contours, dimensions of the face, skin colour, thickness and race.
Most people have reconciled themselves with their appearance but some are unhappy with it and seek surgery. The most common features people are concerned with are deviations of the nose to one side, a nasal hump, a nasal depression, too wide or too a narrow nose, over or under projection of the soft nasal tip.
There is no perfect shape to the nose and any alteration has to fit and suit the rest of the face.
It is important that expectations about the effects of surgery are not unrealistic. People who believe that their lives will change if they have cosmetic surgery are often disappointed.

What is a rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty is an operation to change the shape of the nose. The type of rhinoplasty depends on which particular area of the nose needs correction. The nose can be straightened, made smaller or bigger and bumps may be removed. The shape of the tip of the nose can be changed. Pieces of cartilage or bone may be removed from or added to the nose to change its shape. Sometimes the wall that separates the nose into right and left (nasal septum) is twisted. We may need to correct it at the same time. The combined operation is called septorhinoplasty.

Techniques

Rhinoplasty surgery employs reduction, augmentation or refinement of the patient’s nose to give a balanced and proportioned nose.

Reduction rhinoplasty commonly involves the removal of a nasal hump along with re-breaking the nose to reduce the width.

The tip of the nose may be asymmetrical, depressed or the nose itself may need building up. Augmentation with can be achieved using tissue moved from another part of the patient’s body such as skin or cartilage from the ear or rib. Alternatively synthetic material can be used (gortex, silastic) but there is a greater risk of rejection or infection.

Approaches for the surgery can be either through the nostrils (intranasal) or by the use of a small incision on the under side of the nose (external).

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