Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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Should the Cast and Stitches from an Open Rhinoplasty Be Removed Within 7 Days to Avoid Scarring?

It's been four days since having my primary open rhinoplasty. I would like to know when stitches and sutures need to be removed by, to prevent scars from forming? I am aware from my research that most people have their cast/stiches removed within 7-10 days following the op. My cast and stiches are scheduled to be removed 12 days after the operation - Is it risky from a scarring perspective to leave these in for 12 days instead of 7-10?

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by Asha3000

Doctor Answers (9)
Community Comments (0)

Timing Of Rhinoplasty Dressing And Suture Removal

While most splints and tapes are removed around one week after rhinoplasty surgery, that timeline is not cast in stone. Most external nasal dressings get loose at one week after surgery so this is a convenient time to remove them. But leaving them longer is fine and has nothing to do with creating scarring. I use tiny dissolveable sutures in the columella so removal is not necessary.

Removal of Cast and Stitches 12 Days Post Rhinoplasty

I typically remove the cast and stitches 6-7 days after rhinoplasty. However I strongly recommend that you follow the recommendations of the surgeon you trusted to do your surgery. it is not wise to second guess him/her at the stage.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

10 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Rhinoplasty post-op

I usually remove nasal splints and sutures within about a week give or take a few days. Each surgeon is a bit different.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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When should rhinoplasty stiches be removed

It deepnds on which type were used, if they are permanent I would recommend removal at 7 days, if they are absorbable, they will not need to be removed, only trimmed

Splint and sutures out six to seven days after rhinoplasty

We prefer suture removal by six days, and sometimes seven. The splint usually will only stay in place to six to seven days as well. Common thinking and experience tells us five to six days is long enough, and might reduce suture marking on the skin.

When to remove columellar sutures

It's hard to say if 12 days is too long to leave your sutures. You may have dissolveable sutures that will go away in their own and you may just have the remnant sutures trimmed at your 12 day visit. I normally remove the sutures around the 1 week point in my patients. Your surgeon would be the best person to ask about this to make though.

Nasal tape and/ or splint is typically removed 5-7 days following rhinoplasty

The nasal splint is typically removed 5-7 days following rhinoplasty. At this point the nasal bones are secure enough that the splint is no longer required. With regard to sutures across the base of the nose, this depends upon the surgeon. I use resorbable sutures that do not require "removal." However at 5-7 days any remaining bits of suture can be trimmed away. Non-dissolving sutures do require removal and the risk of leaving them in longer than 7 days is track marks where the sutures... more

WHEN Should Open Nose Job (Rhinoplasty) Stitches be Removed?

I assume you are referring to the short incision across the waist of the columela diving the nose into two airways. I prefer to remove these stitches in 5 days to prevent "rail road tracking", the ingrowth of skin into the stitch openings. There is no real reason aside from office convenience to keep these stitches in longer. The inside stitches are usually dissolving stitches which fall out by themselves.

Peter A. Aldea, MD

35 reviews

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

When to remove sutures and cast

Each situation is unique and only your rhinoplasty surgeon knows the specific details of your procedure and should be the person commenting on post-operative questions such as this. In general the fine sutures used to close open rhinoplasty incisions don't leave marks and as long as you keep them moist the incision should heal OK.

Sam Naficy, MD

84 reviews

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleface.com

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