Nasal Cast/Splint Is Usually An Important

C. Spencer Cochran, MD answers: Will removing nose splint early affect Rhinoplasty results?

I recently had a Rhinoplasty for narrowing my broad side walls and also for fixing sinus problem. But 3 days after, I took off the splint on my nose because it was irritating me a lot. Is it going to affect the shape of my nose? I can hardly see any difference in my previous and post-surgery nose. Shall I put on the splint back?


C. Spencer Cochran, MD
4 months ago

The effect of removing your spint will depend on the techniques that your surgeon used for your nasal surgery. You should schedule and appointment with your surgeon so that he or she can assess your nose and make sure that no negative consequences will arise from removing your splint early.

The external splint is a very important part of preserving your surgical result. Most surgeons place surgical tape/steri-strips on the exterior of the nose. This helps do two very important things: (1) protect the skin from the splint, and (2) most importantly, decrease the amount of swelling. The tape puts mild pressure on the skin envelope and can help prevent a blood pocket (hematoma) from forming between the skin and the nasal framework. When a hematoma develops, the blood is eventually replaced by fibrous tissue (scar tissue) and can distort the nose or add volume to the tip.

On top of the surgical tape, surgeons will put an external splint made of aluminum, plaster, plastic, etc. The purpose of this splint is to protect the nose and hold the nasal bones in position if they were broken.

Internally, most surgeons place some sort of internal splints. The internal splints do several things: (1) put mild pressure on the septum to prevent a septal hematoma, (2) help hold the inside straight during the early healing process, and (3) prevent scar bands from forming from the lateral side of the nasal passage to the septum. These can be soft plastic, silicone, telfa pads. They are left in place for one day to one week depending on the surgeon's preference.
 

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