Swelling after rhinoplasty

Bruising after a rhinoplasty procedure is very common and can last up to two weeks in some individuals. One way to minimize bruising is to use ice frequently for the first two days after the procedure. Other ways to minimize bruising include avoiding aspirin containing products. Finally, there has been some evidence that using a natural homeopathic product called arnica montana can reduce bruising. Unfortunately, there is no sure fire way to totally avoiding bruising since any time a rhinoplasty involves bony work, the tissue over the bone is disrupted and some bruising is expected.

It's discouraging to see so many products being recommended that are woefully lacking in any scientific support:

• arnica montana has not been shown in well designed studies to affect bruising.
• "vitamin k oxide" has not been shown in well designed studies to reduce bruising and the claim that it alters heme metabolism or hemosiderin degradation is also not supported (FYI: vitamin k is a coenzyme in the synthesis of certain clotting factors in the liver, not in the skin.)
• bromelain, cyruta, etc. also fall under the category of unproven anecdotes.

What does work? Avoiding the blood-thinners that others have already enumerated here (aspirin and other NSAIDs, vitamin E, various herbal "remedies"), delicate surgical technique, probably cold compresses, avoiding activities that raise blood pressure (e.g., bearing down, straining at the toilet, etc.), head elevation higher than the heart, and a little luck. ;-)

--DCP

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