Can I travel on aircraft 2/3 days after rhinoplasty with internal nose packing and cast still on?

Question

I would like to have rhinoplasty in iran which is roughly a 5 hour flight from the UK. My plan is to have surgery 48 hours after arriving in iran then spend 2/3 more days and then return to the UK. I then plan to have the internal packing and cast removed at a local UK hospital . I really don't want to be spending 10 + days in Iran...would it be okay to do this and fly with my nose packing and cast on?

Ozge Ergun, MD · Answer

Thanks for the question. You should be able to go on vacation by 1-2 weeks after your surgery. But this is valid only with assuming postoperative recovery is uneventful. If any unexpected incident happens in your treatment process, this time can be extended or shortened. I wish you all the best.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

In our practice, we do have patient's flying in for surgery from very long distances. We ask the patient's stay in town for at least one week. We do not place any packing in the nose, since that when favor approximately 20 years ago. The cast is applied across the bridge of the nose and stays intact for 6 days. It's important that the operative surgeon has some followup with the patient to ensure optimal healing

Gurmander Singh Kohli, MD, FACS · Answer

Modern aircraft cabins are pressurized and the risk of having a nasal bleed up in the air is scarey but very unlikely to occur. If you do experience a  nose bleed during the flight, have a towel ready, relax, sit up right with head slightly tilted back, shoulders straight and breath calmly. The bleeding will stop. Taking a decongestant prior to going on board will also help prevent a nose bleed.

Pedram Imani, FRACS, MS, MBBS (Hons) · Answer

You need to be careful here.  I generally do not use packing, if packing is used, it should not be left in the nose more than 24 hrs.  Flying in the 1st week after Rhinoplasty is not advisable in case there are problems with bleeding whilst in the plane.  You can have your cast removed elsewhere in 7-14 days.  What is concerning is that your surgeon should be following you up not someone who has not done your surgery.  Hope this helps.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

In my practice, I request patients stay in town for a week until the cast is off.   I do not use packing in my post-operative rhinoplasty patients.  This is something you should discuss with your doctor.

Dennis Barek, MD (retired) · Answer

I have had patients travel as you proposed as long as they are not oozing blood. If you are stable and packed , I see little risk in travelling by plane

Can I travel on aircraft 2/3 days after rhinoplasty with internal nose packing and cast still on?

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