Can nose collapse after rhinoplasty due to no nose retainer?

Hi there! Nose collapsing following rhinoplasty is typically due to lack of supportive nasal cartilage. Lack of cartilage may be due the request of narrowing the nasal tip, fracturing the nose to narrow at the nasal bones. This can also happen following dorsal hump reduction. There has to be a balance in the external aesthetic and creation of a smaller nose and breathing.

Hello, I assume you are referring to the nostril retainers that some surgeons (myself included) use after surgery to support your nostrils? These are different than the internal splints (Doyle splints) that are used after some rhinoplasties to support the bones and septum.
For the nostril retainers, they are indeed used to reduce the risk of nostril shape asymmetry or collapse during the healing phase. The majority of patients would likely heal fine without them, however in my experience using them, the rate of nostril asymmetry is significantly improved with the extra support that they add.
In summary, they aren't always required, but they certainly help reduce the chance of problems.

The surgeon's work is the most important factor when it comes to long-term success in rhinoplasty. There are some factors that are out of the surgeon's control, however. Certain people may have a tendency to heal differently than others, and scar tissue does have the ability to pull and change the nose over time.

Nasal shaping devices, taping, and such are sometimes used in the early post-operative period but should not be relied upon for long-term success in the form and function after rhinoplasty.