Revision rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure in which the collapsed top of the nose is reconstructed. The original nose tends to protrude when breathing in the “R” shape, which causes the nose to “flail” when breathing out. The collapsed nature of the original nose causes it to droop when breathing in this way, too. Revision rhinoplasty can correct these problems and give the patient a more normal-looking nose. It’s important to note that the term “revision” rhinoplasty is often used loosely and can refer to nasal reconstruction.
However, it is most commonly used to describe nasal reconstruction in which the original nasal cartilage is replaced with plastic and metal. This is known as a “solid-lunge” or “straight-lunge” revision. This article discusses the risks of revision rhinoplasty with you before performing the procedure.
Table of Contents
Risks of Revision Rhinoplasty
Bleeding
This is a significant risk in revision rhinoplasty. Bleeding inside the nose is scary since it can seriously damage an organ such as the nose. If too much blood is lost, the nose may need to be sewn up, or parts of the nose may have to be removed. The surgeon will try to keep bleeding to a minimum by putting an antiseptic sponge in the nostrils at the time of surgery and cleaning them out with gauze and saline after surgery. Reshaping the bridge of the nose can cause severe bleeding. Reshaping a crooked nose can cause severe bleeding because the internal structures of the nose are damaged during surgery.
Too much bleeding in revision rhinoplasty is generally due to poor surgical technique. If you experience bleeding after revision rhinoplasty, contact your surgeon immediately and do not leave the surgery facility without first receiving medical treatment. It’s also important to note that revision rhinoplasty is a complex procedure and can be subject to complications such as bleeding if performed by an inexperienced surgeon. Because of this, it’s essential that you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed many successful revision rhinoplasties before attempting this operation on you.
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Infection
Infection is another major complication for anyone who has revision rhinoplasty. Infections can range from mild to severe and cause swelling, pain, fever, and chills. Infections are also a risk because most revision rhinoplasties are performed on urgent medical needs. These surgeries cannot be performed on a waiting list for elective surgery. Thus, the patient may be undernourished or already have an underlying health condition that makes them more susceptible to infections. These factors increase the risk of infection in rhinoplasty patients significantly. In addition, revision rhinoplasty is an invasive operation, and there is a greater risk of infection when the cast is removed.
Adverse anesthesia reactions
Many anesthesia reactions are not life-threatening, but they can be uncomfortable, painful, and costly. The most common anesthesia reactions are a headache or piercing pain that occurs after surgery. This is usually harmless and resolves within a few hours. Most people who have revision rhinoplasty recover completely from anesthesia without any issues. However, it’s important to note that this type of pain may also occur when using local anesthesia and may be extremely uncomfortable for the patient. Several other symptoms of adverse anesthesia reactions include nausea, ringing in the ears, tinnitus (a constant ringing in your ears), hearing loss, personality changes, or memory problems.
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Nasal blockage
Revision rhinoplasty is an invasive surgical procedure, and there is a higher risk of nasal blockage with revision rhinoplasty compared to traditional non-surgical approaches. Revision rhinoplasty is performed on a patient’s breathing passage when their breathing passages are already blocked from obstruction or blood clotting. If this happens, many complications can occur.
Difficulty breathing
These patients can have severe difficulty with their ability to breathe after revision rhinoplasties. They may also notice that they develop obstructive sleep apnea whenever they lie down and can feel stifled by the heavyweight of the nasal cast in the back of their throat. This is not so much a complication as it is a known risk of nose surgery. As long as the patient is properly informed of the risks, they can make decisions about their health and well-being that are most appropriate for them.
Unfavorable cosmetic results
A nasal cast may cause difficulty breathing and cosmetic changes, including bumps or indentations from the cast on the bridge of your nose. The cast will leave a mark on your nose for several months after surgery, which can be unsightly at best. The cast may also be very uncomfortable, restricting the airflow through your nose and causing your nose to stick out or collapse downward. And while this may look okay at first, it’s important to know that the effects of revision rhinoplasty can be permanent if you don’t treat these issues. Revision rhinoplasty procedures are performed to correct some serious medical problems, so it’s vital that you choose a board-certified plastic surgeon who has done hundreds of revision rhinoplasties before you.
Scarring
Revision rhinoplasty can result in massive scarring. There are two main types of scars. One is the external scar visible just under your nose, and another is that you cannot see but can be felt through the skin and cartilage. These scars are usually caused by cutting or gouging during surgery, which tends to heal with a thick, irregular scar.
Bleeding inside the nose
Bleeding inside the nose, also known as epistaxis, may occur after revision rhinoplasty. This can be very serious, producing a blood clot in the nasal cavity that thromboses and blocks your airway (airway obstruction). Epistaxis can also be caused when there is bleeding from other organs in the area of your head, such as your brain. One example is a fractured cheekbone due to an accident or fall. In this situation, pieces of bone can break off and cause bleeding in the airways within the nose or sinus cavities.
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Conclusion
Rhinoplasty is a complex procedure, and many things can go wrong, from breathing difficulties to slanted noses. Revision rhinoplasty is one way to repair some of the issues caused by the first rhinoplasty surgery. Many risks are involved, but it is an effective procedure for correcting some common problems in revision rhinoplasties due to prior operations or other complications from the disease, injury, or congenital disabilities. If you need to have a revision rhinoplasty done, you should be confident and comfortable with your surgeon before proceeding with surgery.
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