Is It Too Soon to Remove the Splint Just 4 Days After Surgery?

Removing your splint early really depends on what exactly was done during your surgery.  I would suggest going with your doctor's recommendation.

I typically leave splints in place for 7 days, but the length of time really does vary depending on what was done during surgery. Splints can be removed earlier or kept in place longer depending on what was done.The best person to decide that is really your surgeon since he knows your surgery better than anyone else. You can always discuss your concern with your surgeon as well, but most likely it is okay.

I would not be too worried.  In most cases you should be over the large part of the immediate swelling by then. Ask  your surgeon how he/she handles post-splint nasal moulding so that you can feel that you are a part of your successful recovery.

Warmest regards,

Dr. Shah

Thank you for the question.

Is it is always best to ask specific questions/concerns of the surgeon who has done your procedure. There may be specific reasons he/she has for relatively early splint removal.

Best wishes.

Like any bone in the body, the broken nasal bones created in the osteotomies will take 4-6 weeks to heal.   A cast is placed over the "set" nasal bones and expected to remain undisturbed for 7 days.   Sometimes, 6 days, but mostly a week.  Often a cast may remain on for up to two weeks.

It is my opinion that the cast serves everal purposes:   stabilizes the nasal bones aiding them to heal straight, minimizing dorsal nasal swelling, protecting the nose from glasses, and protecting the healing nose from bumps and trauma.  Patients are encouraged to sleep in a near sitting postion to decrease the chance for sideways positioning  of the head during sleeping.   If one sleeps on one side, the nose may be shifted in that direction.