How long is the silicone sheet meant to stay in nose after rhinoplasty? (Photo)

Question

After 12 weeks of surgery, I had a cold and as I blew my nose I felt sth came down in my nose. I contacted my surgeon who was out of country and he said it is the silicone sheet hsd left left there to help form my nose and it must remain in the nose for six to twelve months. And that now it has come down I must remove it. I took it out and it was 3 cm long. Question how long does a silicone sheet need to remain in the nose? Did he simply forget it?

Adam Bryce Weinfeld, MD · Answer

I typically remove Doyle splints after rhinoplasty 1 week post op, although some cases require closer to 2 weeks.  Each surgeon and  each patient is different, however, so your surgeon likely had a reason for leaving yours in longer.

Arian Mowlavi, MD, FACS (license on probation) · Answer

The doyle splint is intended to keep the nose aligned and to keep the internal mucosal surfaces away from each other until they are healed. We keep the splints in place for one week only. Occasionally, if the stitch becomes loose, it is possible for you to swallow this splint thus your surgeon must have assumed that you swallowed yours?

How long is the silicone sheet meant to stay in nose after rhinoplasty? (Photo)

Answers (2)