Is taping the nose after rhinoplasty necessary?

Thanks for your question!

Not only is taping of the nose necessary, but it plays a vital roll in the healing process. I use a method that acts like a sandwich...The external aspect of the nose is taped and splinted while the internal is packed and supported with a more flexible type of splint. This technique promotes more stability to the new architecture as well as faster healing.

Best of Luck

Tape will not change a final outcome. In fact the glue in the tape can cause clogged pores of the nasal skin and can be detrimental to swelling resolution. I understand that some surgeons advocate nasal taping for their patients, however, we have not needed to recommend this for over 25 years in practice. Thank you for this excellent question. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

Hello,

Taping is super important for patients after rhinoplasty. Your skin has had the same shape for years prior to rhinoplasty and getting the skin to adhere to the new shape and avoid dead space is critical to avoid scaring. On the other hand, taping wont prevent the nose from dropping. this is a matter of surgical technique and structure. Follow your surgeons advice and specific guidlines for your specific type of rhinoplasty.

Taping the nose after surgery can be important especially in patients who have thick skin or a lot of swelling. I often let the patient decide how much taping they need but recommend that mist try it out.

Taping the nose after rhinoplasty provides several benefits, which contribute to the healing process and the overall outcome of the surgery:

Benefits of Taping the Nose After Rhinoplasty:

1. Reduces Swelling: Taping helps to minimize swelling by applying gentle pressure, which can aid in the more rapid subsidence of post-operative edema.

2. Stabilizes the Nasal Tissues: It helps keep the nasal tissues and cartilage in the desired position during the initial healing phase, supporting the new structure as it sets.

3. Shapes the Nose: Continuous gentle pressure from the tape can help mold the nose into its new shape, encouraging the skin and soft tissue to adapt and settle over the reshaped nasal framework.

4. Decreases Fluid Accumulation: By compressing the area, taping can reduce the risk of fluid buildup between the skin and the underlying structures, which can affect the final contour of the nose.

The decision on how long to tape, and precisely how, is done on a case by case basis. Most patients benefit from taping anywhere from 1 week to several weeks after surgery. To answer your specific question, not taping the nose after rhinoplasty is not the single cause of the nose tip drooping. That said, taping could have beneficial effects on tip position early in the healing process.

Dr. B.

Taping after rhinoplasty is done on a case-by-case basis. Not all my patients tape their nose and in fact the majority does not. Can you get the same result without taping? It depends but in some patients who I recommend taping to, they would not have achieved the same results. It's always best to adhere to the instructions of your surgeon. Taping is an easy thing to do and I only ask my patients to tape their noses at night during their sleep, not in the daytime.

Hope that helps.

Best,
Thomas Walker, MD, FACS
470-900-3223
@drthomaswalker

Hello! Thank you for your question.
As far as I can understand from your question each doctor's procedure is different, some patients do not need nose taping, but some patients may need it.
It would be better face to face consultation.
Best Regards!

Nose taping after rhinoplasty is a common practice, but its necessity and impact on the final results can vary. Taping the nose is generally done to help reduce swelling, stabilize the nasal structure, and promote better skin adaptation to the new underlying framework. While it may not be strictly necessary in all cases, taping can contribute to a smoother healing process and potentially optimize the outcome.
Regarding the final results, whether you tape the nose or not, the overall shape and structure created during surgery will largely determine the end result. However, taping may help in managing swelling and ensuring that the skin conforms better to the new shape, which could influence the final appearance subtly.
As for preventing the tip from dropping, taping might provide some temporary support to the nasal tip, but it’s not a definitive solution to prevent tip drooping. The long-term position of the nasal tip is primarily determined by the surgical techniques used, the strength of the nasal cartilage, and the healing process. If tip drooping is a concern, it’s essential to discuss this with your surgeon, who can tailor the surgical approach to minimize this risk.

Hello and thank you for your question. I never recommend taping for my patients as it can be very damaging to the skin and underlying grafts. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified rhinoplasty surgeon who can evaluate you in person.

Best wishes and good luck.

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

This is a great question with varying answers as each case will differ and every surgeon has their own techniques, which may or may not call for post-operative taping.
Take for example, a bulbous nose. Surgery is being performed to take the size from large to small and the skin must adapt to the refined bone and cartilage. The best way to support skin contracture is with pressure. Bone cartilage and skin have swelling between the layers and when left untaped potentially cause scar tissue. Even if the surgeon created definition, you would be unable to see with this internal swelling. In this case, taping would be necessary.
If there is a small change, there is less chance of excess space occurring between the skin and nose structure. It may not be deemed necessary by a surgeon for their patient to tape.
Overall, the surgical plan is most important as it sometimes requires lympha and veins to be cut, which can take 6 months to 1 year, prolonging swelling. Similar to any extremity’s recovery, nose healing takes longer.
Would taping prevent a nose tip from dropping? In some cases, it may. Some surgeons use a columellar-strut. Swelling would push this down. When you reduce the tension, through taping it will reduce this. Gravity will always be a factor for final tip-placement and your surgeon may also decide to slightly over correct if your ideal result calls for it.
In all cases, it’s best to discuss your individual goals and preferences prior to surgery and obey the specific set of instructions with your surgeon of choice. These instructions will best complement their treatment plan and your surgeries.