Is it safe to get a Rhinoplasty at a teaching hospital/university residency clinic?

Your question is a very important one to consider.  My initial reaction is that a residency program at a top training program should offer an opportunity for a quality rhinoplasty if finances are a concern.  All rhinoplasty surgeons start at residency programs - and I am a firm believer that your care will be top notch.  The resident must have an attending surgeon who will be directing the resident.My only concern is that ethnic rhinoplasty can be complicated secondary to the need for complex cartilage grafting.  Ask questions regarding the surgical plan and goals of the surgeon.

Dear JonathanBravo,I think it is reasonable and commendable to consider residency clinics for rhinoplasty, especially given the expert oversight and reduced costs. Ethnic rhinoplasty is a umbrella-term that implies a deeper understanding of cultural and anatomic nuances unique to the Black, Latino, Middle Eastern, Asian communities, and so on. The likelihood of finding a surgical trainee who has sufficient experience in ethnic rhinoplasty is low, in my opinion. Might be worth taking a look and gathering an opinion, but I agree with the other panelists in the sense that it may be worth your while to find someone who specializes in African American rhinoplasty.I hope this helps,

Thanks for posting such an important question. My recommendation is no."Rhinoplasty" is one of the most demanding procedures in plastic surgery it requires experience, skill and knowledge from the surgeon.The "Ethnic Nose Job" consists  mostly in the narrowing and/or changing of the shape of the nostrils, defining  the tip  and providing a bridge to the nose. Trying to make it look more occidental but avoiding overdone, and keeping some ethnic references.It is better for the patient to have it right from first time  since  working to correct  a 2nd. or 3rd. time  an already worked nose is really  difficult   because of fibrosis left by the other surgeries. I have a lot of experience attending 2nd. and 3rd. surgeries trying to repair and correct things, and it is very difficult.  Results are much better when working in a "virgin nose".My recommendation for you is not to choose a teaching hospital or university residency clinic for your Rhinoplasty to avoid future surgeries.

 The rhinoplasty procedure is one of the hardest operations to perform correctly in the entire field of cosmetic surgery. Ethnic rhinoplasty also presents unique challenges as well. Look for a very experienced rhinoplasty surgeon for best results

It is a personal choice to undergo surgery, and a decision that you have to make to go to a resident clinic. These are training programs for the residents to learn.  The fee is low for that reason.  All residents operate with an attending surgeon, but each one has a different experience.  Best of luck.

Hello and thanks for that question. It is quite safe to have your procedure done by the residents at a University training program however chose wisely. A reputable program will have the best and brightest residents but most importantly ask about their experiences, particularly with ethnic rhinoplasty. Good luck and good looks!!Dr. Burnett

I have nothing against teaching hospitals.  We all had to learn somewhere.  However, rhinoplasty is the most challenging of the facial operations.  Any honest rhinoplasty surgeon will tell you that his/her results improved over time.  It is great to teach residents and have them help with involvement consistent with their experience and ability, but you want an experieinced surgeon to be the person in charge and responsible for the outcome.