Can residual rhinoplasty swelling turn into scar tissue over time?

Thank you for your question!



It is understandable that you are
concerned. Changes after rhinoplasties vary with
every patient and what you are experiencing is normal especially that swelling
takes time to subside as it masks the results of your surgery.



It is important to keep in mind that it
is early to pass a judgment. Usually, a year is required before formulating how
your nose will be, but longer with a thick skin. Even then, your nose will keep
shaping itself to complement your face for better results in the years to come.As for swelling causing scar tissue, this thought is highly unlikely to happen as a free-standing approach.



My best recommendation at the moment is
to be patient, allow nature to take its course and edema subsides for better
results. There is no doubt that once the swelling resolves, more definition and
shape will be achieved and you should be happier with the results.



Also, it is important that you keep
communicating with your surgeon and work as a team together to achieve the best
results possible.



Congratulations on your surgery and
please remain positive!



Ali Sajjadian, MD FACS

  The swelling within the tissues several months after the rhinoplasty is performed does tend to resolve with time.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

In the early period after rhinoplasty, pockets of collected fluid beneath the skin can turn into scar tissue if the nose is improperly taped and splinted. Over the long term, soft tissue swelling (edema), which is different from fluid collecting beneath the skin, does resolve. 

As a general rule swelling or post-operative edema can remain for a full year and in thicker skinned noses for up to two years in my experience.  It takes time for the definiton of the underlying cartilage to show through the thickened tissues.  As to whether this chronic edema can become scar, yes that is possible.  One advantage of open rhinoplasty as you have described is the ability to achieve good hemostasis or control of bleeding.  In addition I like to spray a thin layer of fibrin sealant (platelet rich plasma) to further reduce any build up of fluids between the skin and cartilage.  Long term night taping will also be of benefit.  Sometimes a judicious injection of low dose steroid will help to dissipate some of this swelling.

The swelling at the tip of your nose will eventually resolve.  This may take several more months.  Scar tissue willl not be the result of swelling.