Saline Rinse After Rhinoplasty?

Question

For how long do I have to use saline rinse after rhinoplasty? I've been using it three times daily for 11 days post-op (starting the morning after surgery), and I feel great - no more crusting in the nose, no more blood, no more bruising, no more swelling. You'd never know that I'd had anything done! How long does this cleaning regimen usually continue?

Rod J. Rohrich, MD · Answer

The care after rhinoplasty, if it is cosmetic in nature, is quite simple. Saline rinses are recommended, but not essential after cosmetic rhinoplasty if nothing is done internally. If you have an internal reconstruction done with your rhinoplasty then saline rinses are very helpful as they help to keep the internal nasal mucosa moisturized in your recovery. I encourage my patients to use it quite frequently, three to four times a day for about three to four weeks.

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

Nasal saline irrigation should be used for a few weeks after surgery.  There is no harm continuing longer. Thanks for asking the question and sharing information about your recover from surgery.

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

Recommendations vary between surgeons based on personal experiences with their own rhinoplasty patients.  You will do best continuing rinses for the length of time your surgeon recommended.

Toby Mayer, MD · Answer

You can stop now since the nose will take care of itself from now on. Each surgeon uses a different method of cleaning the nose.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

Congestion can persist for several months after rhinoplasty and threrefore this may require ongoing rinses as long as the swelling persists.

P. Daniel Ward, MD · Answer

Hi Bob,

	I usually tell patients to use the nasal saline spray starting right after surgery to help clean out dried blood, blot, and crusts.  If you aren't having any problems with these problems, you can feel safe to stop.  

	Good luck!

Thomas A. Lamperti, MD · Answer

I leave it up to my patients to decide when to stop using saline rinses. There's no harm in doing them longer. One thing you could do would be to just cut down to 1 or 2 times a day at first rather than just stopping.

	The rinses mainly help with gently cleaning out the dry blood and crusting during the initial healing process. If you have any internal dissolvable sutures, the rinses will also help the sutures dissolve.

Chad Douglas Tattini, MD · Answer

I usually recommend saline rinses until there is no more crusting or bleeding. This usually in the first 1-2 weeks. It sounds like you are doing great but I would ask your plastic surgeon any specific postoperative instructions.

Jon F. Harrell, DO, FACS · Answer

Saline is usually helpful for the first 1-2 weeks after nasal surgery. The amount of blood and 'crusting' in the nose varies from patient to patient and depends upon the amount of work done on the nose. I recommend saline drops/spray or rinses to all my nasal surgery patients. It really speeds up the cleaining out of the nose. Many patients like it even long after the surgery as it is a gentle way to cleanse the nose. Best of Luck

Srdjan Ostric, MD · Answer

The inside nsal lining heals very quickly after rhinoplasty if you keep it clean and moist. It sounds like you have been doing his religiously, which is really great. I commend patients who follow doctor's recommendations to the letter, as surgery involves two people--the patient and the doctor. Cooperation and trust can make for a beautiful outcome! Taht being said, sounds like you can probably stop the saline rinses after 11 days. I generally don't prescribe them and recommend that patients use a humidifier if neceessary depending on the climate and such.

Saline Rinse After Rhinoplasty?

Answers (14)