Function or purpose of tape after Rhinoplasty?

Question

I'm 17 and I got a nose job about a month ago. I had closed surgery and my bone was broken. What is the function or purpose of the tape (3 strips of horizontal tape down my nose) and for how long do I have to wear them?

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Tape is used for 5-7 days following rhinoplasty to minimize swelling. Many plastic surgeons will also use a plastic "splint" in cases like your where the nasal bones were cut to help splint the bones and prevent them for healing in an uncontrolled fashion. I have one a few occasions reapplied tape for an additional week following surgery but this is unusual.Stephen Weber MD, FACS

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Post-operative care varies from patient to patient following rhinoplasty surgery and depends upon a multitude of variables.  In the vast majority of cases we remove nasal tape at the time of splint removal five to seven days following surgery.
            In most cases, we don’t replace the nasal tape, but in rare cases nasal tape is utilized for an additional period of time.  Tape is often used for longer periods of time when patients have extreme swelling.  In addition, tape may be utilized to control skin remodeling when patients have excess skin following surgery.

Kristin Egan, MD · Answer

The tape is in place to help reduce or prevent swelling of the nose after surgery which can lead to scar tissue formation and an undesired result.  Most surgeons tape for a week postoperative but I would talk with your surgeon for specifics in your case.

Peter E. Johnson, MD · Answer

The purpose of the tapes and even the splint for that matter are to help control swelling. Excessive or uncontrolled swelling can lead to loss of shape and definition or lengthen the healing process. Swelling is stable though such that the splint or tape serve little purpose after the first week. Some surgeons may try to tape the area above the tip to hold the tissue down and influence shape, but we don't believe the tape is helpful. Certainly after a month you can stop the effort.
	Best of luck,
	peterejohnsonmd

Erel Laufer, MD · Answer

The steri strips are to keep the swelling down .I usually leave them on my patients noses from 7 to 10 days .

	You can discuss this issue with your surgeon ,about his preference.

Function or purpose of tape after Rhinoplasty?

Answers (8)

Answer: Rhinoplasty tapes and splints control swelling

Answer: Rhinoplasty tapes and splints control swelling

Answer: Function or purpose of tape after Rhinoplasty?

Answer: Function or purpose of tape after Rhinoplasty?

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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Function or purpose of tape after Rhinoplasty?

Answers (8)

Answer: Rhinoplasty tapes and splints control swelling

Answer: Rhinoplasty tapes and splints control swelling

Answer: Function or purpose of tape after Rhinoplasty?

Answer: Function or purpose of tape after Rhinoplasty?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.