My skin have high tendency to form keloids, what are the chances of developing keloids after Rhinoplasty? (photo)

Keloid scars are excessive scars that form not only in the area of the trauma or injury but abnormally extend to the surrounding tissues. They are more common in areas such as the shoulder or sternum (over the breast bone), and can also occur at the ear lobes and nape of the neck. There seems to be a genetic predisposition as people with darker skin tend to form keloids.However, keloid formation on the nose is EXTREMELY rare and is almost unheard of after rhinoplasty. The only exception may be the case of nasal reconstruction for major burns of the nose.

It’s unlikely that you’ll form keloids as a result of the surgery, especially if the incisions are done internally. You may want to ask your surgeon to further address your concerns.

Keloids are unlikely to develop from a rhinoplasty incision.  Additionally, the incisions involved in a typical open rhinoplasty are also very short.  I believe the risk is low.  Good luck and be safe.John T. Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICSDouble Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

The risk of keloid formation is very low in the nose. The surgery can be undertaken without much concern if an endonasal approach is used. The risk of keloid with an open approach through the columella or an alarplasty is small as well. I would recommend that in a high risk patient only an endonasal approach be used. RegardsDr. JDisclaimer: This answer is not intended to give a medical opinion and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Incisions for rhinoplasty and a septoplasty can both be made inside the nose to completely alleviate keloid formation. In 25 years of performing surgery we have never seen a keloid inside the nose. For many examples of rhinoplasty, please see the link below

Dear Yazeedgoth: That is an excellent question and one that I often receive in my practice. Keloids result from abnormal scar architecture with collagen that becomes very disorganized and grows outside the borders of the scar. Why some people tend to form keloids and others do not is very poorly understood. One of the most interesting facts about keloids is that they almost never occur in the midline of the face. Keloid scarring is one of the specialty areas of my practice and I have never seen a keloid from a rhinoplasty or a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery). I have also never seen keloids inside of the nose or mouth. If your surgery is confined to the inside of the nose and the adenoids you can proceed with confidence. I wish you all the best resultsDr S

Keloids can occur anywhere on the body, but are extremely rare on the nose, but I suppose it is a possibility.  Good luck with your choice.

The chance of keloid formation on the face area is much lesser than on the trunks and other extremities even on those who are genetically predisposed to keloid formation. In my more than 30 years of experience with rhinoplasty surgeries, both open and close, I have never had one patient who developed keloids on the incision site or on the surgical site as a whole even for those patients who already have keloids on other parts of their body.

A keloid is very rare with rhinoplasty patients even if that patient may form keloids elsewhere.   That said it is not 100% predictable.  Good luck.  Donald R. Nunn MD  Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.