Regarding nasal reconstruction vs. a rhinoplasty?

Question

This may be a dumb question. If a nose can be rebuilt after having cancer where much of the tissue is removed, and still look decent, why is it seemingly impossible to make A nose that has had multiple revisions look "normal"? What is the difference between rebuilding a totally deformed cancer stricken nose as compared to rebuilding a nose that has been botched by prior surgeons? Thanks for input.

Sandy Sule, MD · Answer

Skin cancer of the nose for the most part affects the skin of the nose--not the underlying cartilage/bone etc of the nose. In other words, when the underlying structure of the nose (bones, cartilages, etc.) are altered in a rhinoplasty, it affects the overall structural intergrity of the nose. In some ways, its like altering a house--its alot easier to paint a room (skin of the nose) that to fix the foundation of a house (cartilages and bone).

Regarding nasal reconstruction vs. a rhinoplasty?

Answers (1)