How risky is Revision Rhinoplasty?

Question

I had a first op in 2008, but was left with a very asymmetric tip and prominent columellar show. I decided to have a small revision in Dec. 2014, under local anesthesia. The dr used cartilage from the tip to correct my V deformity and also rasped the bridge, but now I have a callus formation which still shows after 11 months, a columella that's still too big and the tip seems to have sunk. How risky would be to undergo a new surgery for rasping the callus and lifting the columella a bit more?

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

One of the biggest risks in Rhinoplasty is not achieving the outcome you desire.   Revision Rhinoplasty is inherently more complicated for a variety of reasons and the outcomes become somewhat less predictable.  The best advice I can give is that you need to see a Surgeon who is skilled and experienced in Rhinoplasty revisions.  Since this would be your third Rhinoplasty, I would treat it as the last procedure you should have on your nose.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A revision rhinoplasty performed by an in-experienced rhinoplasty surgeon can be very risky. Since revision rhinoplasty is one of the hardest operations to perform correctly in the entire field of cosmetic surgery, and this will be your third nasal surgery,  choose the most experienced rhinoplasty surgery you can find in your area who has  dedicated a significant component of the practice to rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty

Dennis Barek, MD (retired) · Answer

Risk depends on what was done during, previous surgery, what kind of revision is being planned, available blood supply, availability of septal cartilage, if needed, and finally the skill of the surgeon. Risks are mostly related to aesthetic issues, infection,, loss of grafts, etc,

How risky is Revision Rhinoplasty?

Answers (3)