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Is It Safe to Use a Nasal Rinse After a Rhinoplasty Surgery?

asked 3 years ago by lilangeljag24 in elizabeth, nj
Latest answer by C. Spencer Cochran, MD
Question viewed 5,612 times
Tags: aftercare

I had rhinoplasty done almost 3 months ago (in december 08). Everything is fine, just that my doctor tells me I should still be careful with blowing my nose (I've had very little spot bleeding after blowing). He says I should not blow too hard. I was thinking that maybe I should use a nasal rinse like afrin pure sea, something gentle that would help me breath easier and keep my nasal pasages clean without any blowing.

7 answers to Is It Safe to Use a Nasal Rinse After a Rhinoplasty Surgery?

Nasal Irrigation after Rhinoplasty

After rhinoplasty, activity restrictions are generally made to prevent bleeding and swelling. Bleeding is generally a risk for the first 2 weeks after surgery. If turbinate surgery is also done, then there may be additional risk for up to 3-4 weeks after a procedure. Many patients that have rhinoplasty also have concurrent functional nasal problems, including a deviated septum, turbinate enlargement, chronic sinusitis, or nasal allergy. Specifically, those patients with sinus or allergy... more

Richard W. Westreich, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Saline spray is safe after Rhinoplasty

It is usually safe and even recommended to use saline spray after rhinoplasty. If the spray has Afrin (oxymetazoline) in it, it should not be used for more than 4 - 5 days. I would discuss this with your surgeon, since he knows exactly what was done and how it affected your nasal passages.

Stella Desyatnikova, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Safe and encouraged to use nasal rinses

It is very safe, and also encouraged, to use nasal rinses starting one week after the surgery. Normal saline is the best nasal irrigation to be used and should be used at body temperature. After two weeks from the time of your surgery, it is okay to blow your nose as often and as hard as you wish. Spot bleeding in the nose is nothing to be concerned about unless there is a true hemorrhage.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Nasal Rinse after Rhinoplasty

If you had a Rhinoplasty 3 months ago, I have no problems allowing patients to blow their noses. Nasal rinse with ocean or afrin are also fine.

Daniel Reichner, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon

Nasal Rinse After Rhinoplasty

Hi Lila, I recommend nasal rinses to most of my patients after rhinoplasty or septoplasty, and even to many non-nasal surgery patients. Alkalol is mucus cleaner and expectorant. We ask patients to get plain nasal saline spray (45cc, Ocean, Ayr, etc.), take off the cap and add the Alkalol to the saline. Recap the spray bottle and then spray into the nostril multiple times until the solution is felt in the back of the throat. At that point, the solution is spit out and the spray is... more

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nasal Sprays After Rhinoplasty

Many patients experience transient bleeding or crusting in the first several weeks to months after rhinoplasty. Topical nasal saline spray is a safe and an effective way to clean the nasal passages and to provide moisture. Over the counter decongestant sprays such as Afrin (oxymetazoline) should be avoided - they can cause constriction of the blood vessels to the lining of the nose and potentially result in a septal perforation.

C. Spencer Cochran, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.rhinoplasty-usa.com

Blowing nose usually fine several weeks after Rhinoplasty

Blowing your nose is usually fine several weeks following rhinoplasty. Saline nasal sprays or irrigation is helpful for some patients following septorhinoplasty. You should avoid long term Afrin use.

Sanjay Grover MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

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