Why Do Some Doctors Advise Patients to Continue Taping the Nose After Splint Removal?

I do not have patient's tape after rhinoplasty.  It is my opinion that some surgeons have the patients do this in order to alleviate concerns about swelling.  The fact is that swelling is a physiologic process that tape cannot affect and must resolve through normal healing.  Taping actually poses a risk as the process of placing, removing and replacing the tape can trigger an inflammatory reaction to the adhesive or just the process of peeling the tape off.  This will actually only serve to prolong your swelling and could even cause a secondary skin reaction that you do not want.

The splint itself can be used for protection during sleep or worn in a modified form under glasses/sunglasses for several weeks after surgery in order to protect the bones while they heal.

The pressure of the tape can aid in swelling of the nose.   Typically, I have my patients wear tape on their nose for 1 week after the splint removal.  The splint is removed at 1 week post op, so they then wear the tape on their nose from the 1 week to the 2 week mark.   With that being said, not every patient is the same nor is every surgery, so protocol can vary from patient to patient. 

Taping of the nose after rhinoplasty is optional but it does serve a few purposes:


It is a reminder that the nose is still healing and to avoid excessive activity or trauma

It reminds others to be mindful of your nose

It reduces pressure by eyeglasses