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Function or purpose of tape after Rhinoplasty?

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?

Doctor Answers 7

April 20th, 2011

Tape is used for 5-7 days following rhinoplasty to minimize swelling

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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

Learn more: http://weberfacialplasticsurgery.com/rhinoplasty/

Stephen Weber, MD, FACS
April 23rd, 2011

Purpose of Tape after Rhinoplasty

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I rarely use tape after the nasal cast is removed, but I feel it serves two purposes: 1) arguably minimizes swelling, 2) it reminds the patient and those around them to be careful in the immediate post-operative period. If a cast is not necessary, I'll leave the tape in place for 7-10 days after surgery.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 40 reviews

April 18th, 2011

Why did my doctor put tape on my nose after a Rhinoplasty

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Tape or Steristrips may be applied to the nose to decrease swelling after surgery. My practice is to remove the tape and splint 4-6 days after surgery. I usually do not use any tape once the splint is off. Every surgeon has a routine that they have found to work the best in their hands.

Follow your doctors advice!

Richard L. Dolsky MD

 

Richard L. Dolsky, MD (retired)
Philadelphia Plastic Surgeon

April 19th, 2011

Tape after rhinoplasty

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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.

Kristin Egan, MD
Manhattan Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon

April 18th, 2011

Rhinoplasty tapes and splints control swelling

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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

Learn more: http://www.peterejohnsonmd.com/rhinoplasty

Peter E. Johnson, MD
April 18th, 2011

Function or purpose of tape after Rhinoplasty?

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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.

Erel Laufer, MD
April 18th, 2011

Tape can help push swelling out of nose

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No magic in the tape itself but the tape serves as a way, the Rhinoplasty surgeon can push swelling out of the nose or stabilize/isolate, let's say the nasal tip from moving, until internal sutures have healed.

Learn more: http://www.drfpalmer.com

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD

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.