I Cut a Piece of my Nose off and Doctor Stitched It Back on and Now Starting to Look Black is It Dead or Can I Save It? (photo)

Question

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

From your picture, I would say that it is highly unlikely that the black area on your nose will be saved.  This does not necessarily mean that the nose will look bad after it heals.  I would contact the surgeon who performed your surgery so that you can be closely followed and treated to help give you the best outcome.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

Unfortunately, the photo shown implies a poor prognosis of tissue survival.  Hyperbaric oxygen treatment and/or application of leaches might be of some benefit depending on when the injury occurred.  If this area does slough, there are reconstructive options (multiple stages) which can be utilized.

Joseph Hunstad, MD · Answer

At this point the tissue that was sewn back on your nose
does look compromised, but it still has some coloration in the center. It is
often amazing how much of this replanted skin can survive. Most physicians are
very conservative in their care with this by just doing dressing changes,
keeping it clean and preventing infection. It will continue to resolve on its
own and has a good chance of looking remarkably normal if cared for properly at
this point.

Michael Bowman, MD · Answer

It's impossible to say for sure with only a photograph, but I would guess that the majority of the black tissue will not survive.  However, you should be able to get a good long term outcome all the same, although it may require some additional surgeries.  If you don't already have it, you need to arrange for follow up in the near future with an appropriately certified (facial) plastic surgeon to examine you create a plan  for long term reconstruction.

Michael M. Kim, MD · Answer

Unfortunately this portion of tissue is unlikely to live. You will likely need multiple reconstructive procedure to repair this area. If the injury was something you did to yourself, please seek help immediately.

	Good luck,

	Michael Kim, MD

I Cut a Piece of my Nose off and Doctor Stitched It Back on and Now Starting to Look Black is It Dead or Can I Save It? (photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Tissue death and reconstruction after injury

Answer: Tissue death and reconstruction after injury

Answer: Portion of nose cut off and reattached

Answer: Portion of nose cut off and reattached

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facial Reconstructive Surgery

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I Cut a Piece of my Nose off and Doctor Stitched It Back on and Now Starting to Look Black is It Dead or Can I Save It? (photo)

Answers (6)

Answer: Tissue death and reconstruction after injury

Answer: Tissue death and reconstruction after injury

Answer: Portion of nose cut off and reattached

Answer: Portion of nose cut off and reattached

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Facial Reconstructive Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.