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Does Packing in the Nose Increase the Amount of Swelling?

I had an open septorhinoplasty and had packing in my nose which was removed 11 days after surgery along with my splint. My nose is now very wide and swollen. Is it possible that packing has contributed to the excessive swelling & increased width of my nose?

Doctor Answers 5

Internal nasal swelling and packing

March 10th, 2014
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Many surgeons use packing after rhinoplasty especially when septal surgery has been performed. Packing will generally not cause any increased swelling or changes to the size of your nose. At this early stage of recovery, you should discuss your concerns with surgery.
Jamil Ahmad, MD

Packing after rhinoplasty

July 30th, 2013
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Packing does not increase post op swelling.  Sometimes the packing itself can make the nose appear wide until it is removed and then it disappears.  See your surgeon to make sure things are healing normal.  Donald R. Nunn MD  Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD

Donald Nunn, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 36 reviews

Packing of the nose does not increase swelling.

July 29th, 2013
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Packing the nose does not increase swelling. There's actually some clinical evidence to suggest that it might actually contribute to decreased swelling.

Web reference: http://www.zubowicz.com/subpag,25-atlanta-rhinoplasty.htm

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 31 reviews

Does Packing in the Nose Increase the Amount of Swelling?

July 27th, 2013
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Dear Lilly,

Thank you for your question.  Packing inside the nose should not increase your nasal swelling, however, it is common to have swelling increase right after the splint is removed, because the splint is compressing the nose slightly.  Once compression is removed, swelling occurs.  Also, exercise, getting the blood pressure up in any way, laying down without elevating the head, and bending over all contribute to swelling.

Best Wishes,

Pablo Prichard, MD

Pablo Prichard, MD

Pablo Prichard, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 reviews

Packing inside the nose does should not lead to permanent changes

July 26th, 2013
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Hello Lilly,

Thank you for the question.  Intra-nasal packing (packing inside the nose) should not lead to permanent changes.  A temporary increase in the swelling of the nose after the external splint is removed is not uncommon.  With time this should subside.

All the best,

Dr. Remus Repta

Web reference: http://www.aaaplasticsurgery.com/photo-gallery/details.cfm?ID=199&StartRow=1

Remus Repta, MD

Remus Repta, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 153 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.