Is Having Your Splints Removed After Rhinoplasty/septoplasty Painful?

Years ago, when I trained, we put a lot more packing in the nose and left it in for many days. Now, much less packing is used and it is often removed after one day. This has little discomfort and actually a relief to get the packing out. Even taking off the cast, if done gently is painless.

Hello and thank you for your question. I only place an external splint and never place internal splints. It is not painful during the postoperative recovery process at all. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

In my experience, most patients are so excited to get the splint removed they do not even worry about the tape and splint coming off; they just want to see their new nose! But the good news is that splint removal is not painful. As a specialist in rhinoplasty surgery, I allow my patients to shower to get the splint wet (I use a waterproof splint) once the sponges are removed at about postop day four. This helps to loosen the tape underneath the splint so that it gently comes off with a little adhesive remover. It is one of the best feelings in the world when the splint is removed, and patients see a beautiful new nose!

The splint removal is the last "obstacle" before seeing your new nose. It is put on the nose to protect the new shape of your nose, as well as protect your nose from any possible injury during the immediate postoperative recovery and keep to the swelling down. It is usually removed 7 days after the procedure and it is basically painless. The only uncomfortable part of this can be the tapes sticking to your skin, so the medical professional removing them should be more careful/slower while doing this. Don't worry about the split, the worst is behind you, this is just a quick postoperative step before your new nose reveal!

In general, splint removal after rhinoplasty is not painful, but more so described as "weird" or uncomfortable.  The splints are bulky and can cause some discomfort upon removal, but it is a quick process and most tolerate it very well.  If you are anxious about the process, you may want to take a pain medication prior to your appointment (but be sure to have somebody drive you to and from your appointment if you decide to try this option).

This is a common concern of patients.  A lot of it has to do with what they have been told by other people who had a rhinoplasty in the remote past, when packing the nose was common.  However, packing the nose after rhinoplasty is extremely rare in today's surgical standards due to better drugs and techniques used in the OR.  The only thing placed in the nose by me after a rhinoplasty is a small piece of folded up absorbable gauze in the nostrils which is removed after 7 days along with the external splint.  Removal of the splint is painless.  An adhesive remover is used to dissolve the glue (Mastisol) placed on the nasal skin to keep the splint on for seven days.  So...I would not be concerned about the removal of your splint, and be sure to ask your surgeon if he packs the nose!
Hope this helps.