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Will It Be Safe to Remove my Nasal Splint 4 Days After Rhinoplasty?

asked 4 months ago by aesalt
Latest answer by Ronald J. Edelson, MD
Question viewed 104 times
Tags: 4 days post-op, air travel, removal, splint

i have a rhinoplasty scheduled for next week. my doctor said he will keep the splint on my face for 7 days, but my mom surprised me with a plane ticket out of state scheduled 4 days after my surgery. i prefer not to have my nose bandaged during my visit. so, my question is: would it be ok to remove my nasal splint after 4 days? the only work my my cosmetic surgeon will be doing on my nose is a tip reduction and slight rotation, and just shaving down the bridge. Thanks!

8 answers to Will It Be Safe to Remove my Nasal Splint 4 Days After Rhinoplasty?

+1

Nasal splint

It is best to take your surgeon's advice regarding how long the nose needs to be splinted. i usually leave the splint in place for a full 7 days to keep the swelling down and maintain the proper position of the nasal bones if they are fractured. If the bones will not be fractured, I may shorten the time requirement for wearing a splint, but in your case, you should follow the instructions of your surgeon.
Ronald J. Edelson, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Follow your surgeon's advice with rhinoplasty

It's important to follow your surgeon's post-op schedule precisely. Experienced surgeons know what's required to get a good result and what might compromise that. Why risk the results of rhinoplasty by tripping at the finish line? Most of us sincerely want to get patients back to their normal routine as soon as possible, but you can't rush wound healing. Besides, there are other risks with flying out of state and being unavailable to your surgeon immediately post-op. I'd... more
David C. Pearson, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Splint Removal

If no osteotomies ( bone work ) is being done during your rhinoplasty it will probably be OK to remove the splint at 4 days.
Richard Galitz, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Splint removal after rhinoplasty

I also agree that this is a question which should be discussed with your primary surgeon. Typically splints may be left in place for longer periods when osteotomies are done or "bones are broken." I usually see patients on postoperative day 1 and day 7. Usually at day 7 the nasal tapes and splints are removed. Good luck
Richard Ellenbogen, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Timing of Splint Removal After Rhinoplasty

This is definitely an issue to discuss with your surgeon before your planned operation. The best results depend on a partnership between you and your surgeon, including honest communication. Only he knows what will be the proper length of time to have your nose taped and splinted, based on what he finds and does intraoperatively. The short term inconvenience should be worth an excellent long term result. Good luck!
James Bartels, MD

Manchester Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

When To Remove the Splint After Tip Rhinoplasty

If the doctor is not cutting or breaking and repositioning the bones there should be no problem with removing the splint after the fourth day. But I think this is something you need to discuss with your surgeon.
Ronald V. DeMars, MD

Portland Plastic Surgeon
+1

Splint removal after rhinoplasty

For most cases, it is ok to remove the splint after the fourth day. I persnally remove them after the fifth day, but know plenty of excellent surgeons that remove them on the fourth day. I would not worry about it.
Andres Bustillo, MD

Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.drbustillo.com

+1

Removing nasal splint after rhinoplasty

This would be a question that would be subjective to your surgeon. Since he knows exactly what he is doing and what his common procedures are he will tell you if he is comfortable deviating from the usual postoperative plan. I do have lots of patients who fly in from out of state and country and there are occasions when I remove things earlier to make arrangements for their travels home. However this is never done to the detrement of proper healing. Also my patients are typically being... more
Michael Elam, MD

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon

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