New Rhinoplasty Technique That Eliminates the Need for a Splint?

asked 2 years ago by erio in WA
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 1,208 times
Tags: nose

I am contemplating Rhinoplasty and I have heard and read about the splint that is supposed to be very uncomfortable after surgery.

I have also heard and read about some new technique that eliminates the need for the splint to be placed after surgery. Please can you elaborate on this new technique?

9 answers to New Rhinoplasty Technique That Eliminates the Need for a Splint?

Splints don't hurt.

You may have heard that packing hurts. That is the old style of 30 years ago. Whether one uses no packing or very light packing, neither should hurt.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Splints protect the nose and are not painful

There is no new technique that is universally accepted by experienced rhinoplasty surgeons that eliminates the need for a nasal splint. If the nasal bones have been broken or reset, there needs to be a splint to protect the area for at least five days. The splint is not painful. Packing inside the nose, which is unnecessary, is painful and is no longer required.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Splints are Smart. Why Take a Chance?

Splints make sense because they do offer protection -- physical and psychological. Why worry for 5-7 days? The surgeon puts in great effort and the work of art ought to be protected. Has anyone ever shipped a painting without properly packing and crating it? I had Rhinoplasty with a splint and appreciated having it there. And, the removal was quick and painless. There is a limit to shortcuts!

Robert Kotler, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Do not fear the splint

Splints are useful adjuncts to successful rhinoplasty surgery so nearly all surgeons utilize them. I agree that splint removal usually 5-7 days after surgery is not very painful and should not be feared.

Richard Gentile, MD
Cleveland Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facialplastics.org

Rhinoplasty Recovery: Nasal Cast / Splint is Very Important

As with most things in life, there are no short cuts in rhinoplasty. Success in rhinoplasty is all about attention to details - both in the operating room and in the recovery period. Don't be fooled by gimicky "sales" tactics or promises of a "quick fix". 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... more

C. Spencer Cochran, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.rhinoplasty-usa.com

Nasal splints may not do much, but they certainly don't hurt.

When you need to have your nasal bones mobilized during rhinoplasty surgery, your surgeon will likely put tape with a splint on your nose. This is not a source of significant pain. I routinely place a light metal splint on the nose after most rhinoplasty procedures, though I have seen a prominent surgeon lecture that they're not necessary. They're probably not necessary, but they do provide a layer of protection during the first week of healing that makes the surgeon feel good, and... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

No splint for Rhinoplasty

If you are just having the tip of your nose modified you may not need a splint. However, it would be up to your doctor to make the call. External splints are not painful. In general, Rhinoplasty is not considered painful. People express a sensation of pressure which is part of the swelling process. Keeping your activity level to a minimum and head elevated after surgery goes a long way towards comfort. The internal splints if needed, do make it difficult to breath but some have air passage... more

Michael Kulick, MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty without splint

The typical splint after rhinoplasty is painless. You might be referring to nasal packing with splints. That is uncomfortable to painless. Rhinoplasty without any Septoplasty and Turbinectomy can be easily done without any nasal packing. If you breathe well then ask your surgeon about not using any nasal packing. You might have mild oozing of blood from the incisions insided the nose for rhinoplasty but it is much better tolerated than the packing. For the first day you might have a nasal... more

Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty Technique that Eliminates the Need for "Packing" but not "Splinting"

Hi Erio, I have been performing rhinoplasty for 25 years, no one has every complained of the splint being uncomfortable, nor is there a new technique of rhinoplasty that eliminates the use of the splint. I believe that you have confused the "splint" with the "packing". Gauze packing is often placed in each side of the nose following rhinoplasty and can be quite uncomfortable for patients during the days that it is left in place. If you ask rhinoplasty patients,... more