Rhinoplasty: Q&A

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When Osteotomy is Done to Narrow Nasal Bones, Could the Bones Shift Back and Move?

How long it takes for the bone to heal and stabalize, inorder not to "spring back" to its pre-op position?

6 Doctor Answers | Asked by eric222 in san ramon ca
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Rule of Osteotomies in Nasal Rhinoplasty

Often a rhinoplasty does not require osteotomies. If it does, it is used to 1. close an open roof nasal base or 2. refine the dorsum. If done through an external percutaneous approach it can be carefully controlled as it does not spring back to the pre-operative position.
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When Osteotomy is Done to Narrow Nasal Bones, Could the Bones Shift Back and Move?

Yes, when the bones are broken and become mobile, there's always a chance that one or both, nasal bones, will shift somewhere along the length of the bone (front or back). IMHO, the bones are the most susceptible during the first month post Rhinoplasty. This is why I instruct all my Rhinoplasty patients to sleep on a U shaped pillow and avoid any nasal contact for 1 month following their Rhinoplasty. I should add that significant shifts, in the nasal bones, are quite... more
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Nasal Bone Shift after Osteotomy

Nasal bones are relatively stable 2-3 weeks after a rhinoplasty with nasal bone osteotomies. I tell my patients to avoid nasal trauma for 6 weeks after their surgery. If there is a green-stick fracture (an incomplete fracture of the nasal bones) with the osteotomies the bones can spring back to their original position. This is very rare, but can occur immediately after the cast is removed.

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Nasal bone movement after Rhinoplasty

Yes, nasal bones can potentially move after rhinoplasty. Cosmetic nose surgery typically involves an osteotomy, where the nasal bones are cut. One may think of an osteotomy as a controlled "broken nose". Any potential movement usually occurs within the first couple weeks after rhinoplasty. Therefore, be careful and avoid contact sports or activity where the nose may be hit. Generally, the nasal bones will fuse and become stable 6 weeks after rhinoplasty. Your plastic surgeon... more
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Osteotomy

Nasal bones are pretty set 2-3 weeks after osteotomy with complete fusion at 6 weeks. Complete osteotomies will not migrate. Incomplete ones may shift during healing.
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Nasal bone healing after osteotomy.

Nasal bone healing after osteotomy takes only 2-3 weeks to be relatively stable if the osteotomies were complete and therefore, they don't spring back.
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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.

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