Is taping the nose after rhinoplasty necessary?

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.