How high is the risk of infection with Rhinoplasty?

Question

Any surgery carries risks of infection, but what are the chances of infection from cuts in the nose? Do you often give patients antibiotics after rhinoplasty? Thank you.

Laurie A. Casas, MD, FACS · Answer

In my 30 years of experience, infection following primary rhinoplasty is extremely rare. Primary rhinoplasty is defined as the first operation a patient has for nose reshaping. If you choose to review the literature on infection following primary rhinoplasty, you will find a similar reported risk which is rare. It is also reported that the risk for infection increases slightly when rhinoplasty is performed with sinus surgery. I have always prescribed a short preoperative and postoperative course of antibiotics when I perform primary rhinoplasty.  I hope this helps.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Infection after rhinoplasty is very unusual.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA...............................

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

Rhinoplasty typically starts at $5,500 depending on the area you live. To make sure you get the best possible result, the surgeon should perform a detailed exam of the nose and provide a realistic goal that you and your surgeon agree upon. Rhinoplasty are permanent, but with age facial features do change. Find a surgeon and go for a consult, I think you would be very happy after the surgery.Once the cast is removed usually after 1 week, your face will feel puffy and the area around your eyes and nose	will be bruised and swollen for several days. Cold compresses can help minimize	the swelling and reduce pain. Your doctor may also recommend pain medicine.	It takes about 10 to 14 days before most of the swelling and bruising	improves. Keep in mind everyone heals differently and tolerates pain differently.

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

thank you for your question. The risk is extremely low with appropriate preoperative antibiotic therapy. Best of luck.

Christopher Cote, MD · Answer

Overall the risk for infection from rhinoplasty is very low and even uncommon for healthy people.  Certain medical conditions can increase the risk such as diabetes or an immunocompromised state.  When artificial implants are used, the infection risk does increases significantly.  I do not use those in my practise.  Antibiotics at the time of surgery are used to minimize this risk.

John Layke, DO, FACS · Answer

The risk of infection in rhinoplasty surgery is very low, and those at most risk are those with implants (to build up the nose; usually Asian or African American noses).  I routinely give antibiotics to my rhinoplasty patients in order to reduce that risk.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Infection after a rhinoplasty procedure is extremely rare with or without antibiotics, depending upon the surgeon's preference. The reason for this is probably related to the amount of blood flow in the nose.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

It is very, very low. I do provide all of my patients with a short course of antibiotics. I have seen infections in two patients (far below 1%) who chose not to complete their antibiotic course. I have not seen any infections in patients who followed their post-surgery prescription recommendations. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Infection in rhinoplasty is a very a rare occurrence in my experience. The only few cases I have seen have been in rhinoplasties associated with synthetic implants or large cartilage grafts using rib tissue. Given the high bacterial counts in the nose it is remarkable that it is not even at the 1% level of occurrence.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

Infection risk from rhinoplasty are quite low, and though we give antibiotics at the the time of the procedure, we do not have our patients take any afterward. A nasal implant might change the recommendation, however we seldom use anything other that natural tissue grafts.

How high is the risk of infection with Rhinoplasty?

Answers (12)

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