Can you have a rhinoplasty if you are MRSA positive after nose swab?

Question

About a year ago I was hospitalized and came back positive for MRSA in the nose. Can I still get a rhinoplasty, what is the course of action and what are the risks?

Catherine Winslow, MD · Answer

Yes, you can still have a rhinoplasty. Inform your surgeon that you are MRSA positive. You will likely receive a specific antibiotic during and after surgery but MRSA pos patients can successfully undergo cosmetic surgery with low risk of infection. Good luck!

Marcelo Hochman, MD · Answer

Yes - being MRSA + on swab is not a contraindication to most any surgery.  It is a very common finding which does not necessarily portend surgical problems. If you have had a MRSA wound infection that changes a bit the potential drugs that could be used for surgery.DrH

Jason Litner, MD · Answer

Being an MRSA carrier as detected on nasal swab is an increasingly common finding these days. There should be no issue with having a rhinoplasty. Bring up your concern with your surgeon who can make sure that you are on appropriate antibiotics before and after surgery. All the best.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

A positive MRSA swab does not preclude you from having a rhinoplasty. Your nose may be treated with an antibiotic ointment beforehand and antibiotic that are not MRSA resistant will be prescribed as a precautionary measure.

Vasdev Rai, MD · Answer

Lot of people are MRSA positive and do not even know it.  With proper precautions you should be able to have rhinoplasty.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Yes, it is possible to undergo a rhinoplasty if you've had a positive MRSA nose swab in the past. It is best to check with your infectious disease specialist and your rhinoplasty surgeon. Additional antibiotics are usually given at the time of the surgery in addition to some antibiotic ointment placed inside the nostrils the week prior to the surgery.

Kristina Tansavatdi, MD · Answer

What was the nature of your hospitalization? The swab of your nose was possibly done to see if you were a MRSA carrier. We all have bacteria growing on our skin surface, but some of us have MRSA which a bacteria that is resistant to some antibiotics. It does not change your candidacy for surgery nor does it increase your risk for infection after surgery. Your surgeon may choose to provide an antibiotic after rhinoplasty surgery that has coverage for MRSA. Additionally, bactroban ointment can be helpful in decreasing the MRSA bacteria counts in your nose after surgery.

Jay M. Pensler, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

The answer to your question is yes.You most certainly can have a rhinoplasty after a swab about a year ago. many people are positive for MRSA and do not know it.

Dennis Barek, MD (retired) · Answer

Nowadays many people harbor MRSA bacteria in the nose.Because this bacteria is a problem, consultation with an infectious disease expert should precede any surgery. They may recommend a topical antibacterial to place in nostrils (Hibiclens) several consecutive days before surgery and test again for its effectiveness before proceeding to surgery.

Can you have a rhinoplasty if you are MRSA positive after nose swab?

Answers (9)

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