Removed the rhinoplasty cast 5 days post op. Will it ruin the outcome?

Question

I had a rhinoplasty using an ear cartilage graft 5 days ago. I had the stitches removed and the cast reapplied on the 4th day and today I took it off by mistake. Will it affect the outcome of my surgery? Would sticking it back on help?

Philip S. Schoenfeld, MD, FACS · Answer

I get generally get a phone call every few months that a patients cast inadvertently came off prematurely following their rhinoplasty surgery. I first tell them to remain calm!  I advise them not to place the cast back on their nose as this can cause harm to the surgical result if not applied properly.  You may have a bit more swelling than if the cast had remained on the entire suggested time but your outcome should be the same.   I would call your surgeon and seek their advice.

Reza Nassab, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Most surgeons will keep the splint on for a week before removal.  This helps maintain the position following any bony work and reshaping.  It is best to discuss with your surgeon rather than trying to place the splint back on yourself.

David L. Cangello, MD, FACS · Answer

Your questions is best answered by your surgeon, particularly after he/she has examined your nose. We here can not say what if any damage was done by removing your splint.I do like to have my patients keep the splint on for 7 days. The purpose of the splint is to minimize edema, and help keep things in place after the position of the bones and cartilage in your nose have been altered. When taking the splint off it is very important to be careful so that the skin is not pulled away from the underlying structure of the nose, which is why we do this very meticulously and slowly. I advise you to see your surgeon. Hope this helps.

Summit Kundaria, MD · Answer

AnxiouslyAwaitingResults,
Thanks for your question.  I would review this with your surgeon as soon as you can.  I would not suggest you reapply the splint yourself.  My reasoning is that only your surgeon knows what level of bony work was done during surgery, and that you are really at a high risk of moving your nasal bones in the process of reapplying your splint if you do it yourself.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You need to review this with your surgeon. I like to keep them on about 7 days or so.................

Demetrius Evriviades, MS, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

Hello Anxiously..., as long as you haven't knocked your nose I very much doubt you have done anything which will cause harm. Call your doctor and see what they say. Best wishes.

Benjamin W. Cilento, MD · Answer

HI,
  Thanks for writing in... its very important to follow post operative care. Usually the care guidelines area a roadmap to the best possible outcome that have evolved over time in your doctors practice. If you stay within those guidelines you have a much better chance of having an excellent outcome. (provided the surgery itself went well:-)
If you deviate from the guidelines you will increase the risk of a bad outcome. Wearing the cast helps provide a rigid support to prevent shifting structures that have been changed. Taking it off opens you to the risk of unwanted shifts. In this regard... yes... it can ruin your outcome...

Hope this helps
Dr Ben

Juris Bunkis, MD, FACS - Account Suspended · Answer

It is best to follow instructions and leave splints, dressings, casts in place until removed by your surgeon.   But once the cast falls off, you should not try to reapply it.   Call your surgeon and see if he or she wants to reapply a splint.    They know what they did in surgery and will make a decision based on that.   I doubt that this will affect your outcome.

Talmage J. Raine, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

The personal philosophy of each surgeon can vary tremendously with management of splinting after rhinoplasty. I would not seek an opinion here. YOu should call your surgeon and discuss at length.All the best,Talmage Raine MD

Removed the rhinoplasty cast 5 days post op. Will it ruin the outcome?

Answers (9)

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