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Is It Absolutely Necessary to Remove Piercings Before Rhinoplasty?

asked 2 years ago by Lauren1 in Seattle, WA
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 1,304 times
Tags: piercing

I have a cartilage piercing that is still healing and I'm advised not to remove for a year. I am looking to get rhinoplasty in the next five months or so. Will my surgeon refuse to go through with the surgery? Or will I need to get it removed? What could go wrong if I keep it in?

15 answers to Is It Absolutely Necessary to Remove Piercings Before Rhinoplasty?

Nasal piercing should be removed before Rhinoplasty

Most nasal piercings do not go through the cartilage, but through the surrounding soft tissue. They must be removed during the operation because electo-cautery is is to control bleeding during surgery. However, they can be replaced immediately after the procedure.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Piercing must be removed before Rhinoplasty

You must remove your piercing before rhinoplasty as it may cause severe burns when the surgeon uses the cautery. It can also act as a foreign body leading to the development of infections.

Amir Moradi, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Piercings and rhinoplasty

I would strongly suggest removing all nasal piercings prior to rhinoplasty. I would pose the question to you. Why would you want to risk having a less than perfect result with all of the expense and discomfort of having your nose fixed for a piercing that can be replaced if you choose to do so? Either wait for the piercing site to heal and have your rhinoplasty or have your nose repierced at a later date.

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD
Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgeon

Removal of nose piercing prior to nose surgery is necessary

It is important to remove the nasal piercing prior to undergoing elective cosmetic nasal surgery for fear of infection, staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria through the piercing into the nasal tissues. Removing the piercings really depends on whether or not any lower lateral cartilage tip surgery is being performed on the nose or just a hump removal. If no tip surgery is being performed it probably does not matter about the piercing. The piercing would need to be removed just for... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Piercings should be removed before Rhinoplasty

Piercings should be removed before surgery when cautery is being used, and cautery is necessary during a rhinoplasty. Cautery can cause a burn at the site where any metal is touching skin. Your piercing should be able to be removed after your anesthesia is induced, and replaced before you wake up. That way you are protected, and your piercing is removed for only a short time.

Amy T. Bandy, DO
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Piercings and rhinoplasty

Hi, You do need to remove any metal from your body prior to surgery, as some of our instruments can potentially cause burns if there is metal on the skin. Your piercings can probably be replaced immediately after surgery, so they should not be out for more than 2 hours or so. If you really cannot remove them, I would advise waiting on your nose until you can. Good luck, /nsn

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Removing piercings before rhinoplasty

Hello, Before any surgery, piercings must be removed in order to ensure the safety of the patient. It is very unlikely your surgeon will go through with the procedure if piercings are present. Thank you and best of luck to you. Dr. Nassif

Paul S. Nassif, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Piercings should be removed before Rhinoplasty

I never recommend having the nasal cartilage pierced. If patients request a rhinoplasty and have their nasal cartilage pierced, I insist that the pierce material (metal or otherwise), be removed prior to surgery and remain removed for at least several months. Again, I never recommend that the nose be pierced or repierced. Following a rhinoplasty, I advised people to refrain from repiercing their nose. I have seen disastrous complications from piercing of the nose including significant... more

Sigmund L. Sattenspiel, MD
Freehold Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and piercings

Piercings should be removed before rhinoplasty. They will most likely get in the way of the surgical procedure and could be a source of infection.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Piercings should be removed before Rhinoplasty

YES! In rhinoplasties, electrical equipment can and will be used. So if metal is touching your skin (in nose or other areas) you could be burned. Why take the chance to ruin your future great result? Be careful out there. Regards.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Surgery and Piercings

I FULLY agree with my colleagues. Piercing your cartilage (ear, nose etc) is not a great idea, but keeping a metal stud there through surgery is INCOMPATIBLE with performing the surgery safely for the variety of reasons already clearly cited below. You have to choose between having a safe nose job and the consequences of keeping a piercing out of your nose until your nose heals from the surgery (longer if a Septoplasty is done).

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Cartilage piercing and rhinoplasty

Any piercings in the nose should be removed prior to rhinoplasty for several reasons. The first is that it can become infected while undergoing the rhinoplasty. The second reason is if any type of cautery is used you can get a burn in that location. The third reason is it may obscure the anatomy during the surgical procedure making it difficult to perform the procedure in a symmetrical fashion. Depending on the extent of the rhinoplasty, it may be possible to repierce that same area two... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Piercing must be removed from the nose prior to rhinoplasty

Doing a rhinoplasty with a piercing in place is not a good idea. The piercing should be removed and the opening let heal before proceeding. You can re-pierce at a later date.

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and Body Piercings

Hi Lauren, Not only should you remove your nasal cartilage piercing, but remove any other piercings that you might have on your body. During surgery, if your surgeon uses electricaly cautery to control bleeding, you can be severely burned at the site of your piercings if they are in contact with your skin. Good luck and be well. Dr. P

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Piercings and rhinoplasty

The piercing absolutely needs to be removed. Its presence causes a multitude of problems at the time of the procedure: chronic inflammation, non-sterility, wound contamination, interference with the dissection and restructuring of skin and cartilage, interference with the tape and cast, etc., etc., etc. Rhinoplasty is tricky enough as it is. Don't compromise the results with a piercing. Hope this helps, --DCP