Rhinoplasty After Staph Infection?

asked 3 years ago by Aligirl in Los Angeles, California
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 800 times
Tags: infection

I had a staph infection, but all the sores are dried up and almost gone. Is it possible that I still have it? I'm going to have a Rhinoplasty in 9 days. My surgeon and dermatologist said I'll be fine, but I'm so scared that this will increase the risk. Am I overreacting?

3 answers to Rhinoplasty After Staph Infection?

There are precautionary steps you should take

Even though the nose is a carrier for staphylococcus, it rarely becomes an infectious agent in the nose. This is because the blood supply is so good to the nose and nasal tissues. Since you have been documented to have staph, it is probably important if you are placed on some antibiotics after your surgery, and it would not be a bad idea to place bacitracin ointment in your nose for three to four days leading up to the surgery.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

How did you get the staph infection?

The more important question might be how you got the staph infection to begin with. If it were some freak occurrence, then surgery should be fine once all the lesions are completely healed, not "almost" healed. OTOH, if you have some predisposition to infection--immune compromised, post chemotherapy, post transplant, HIV, etc.--then perhaps elective surgery should be avoided altogether. Make sure your doctors know why you had a staph infection. --DCP

David C. Pearson, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon