Why should I tape my nose daily after rhinoplasty?

Question

I had a septo rhinoplasty 2 weeks ago and now I tape my nose daily. I wanted to know why should I tape my nose daily and after I remove the tape to change it, should I clean on my nose with anything ? And if yes what should I clean it with ? Thanks

Anthony Corrado, DO · Answer

I routinely remove my patients' nasal splints at one week after surgery.  At this time, I will sometimes tape the nasal dorsum and tip, and have the patient keep the tape in place for another week.  This added week of compression will help ease swelling, while also preventing excess scar tissue formation in critical areas such as the supratip.  I do not have my patients remove the tape daily as this can be traumatic to the nasal skin and cause excess irritation.  I always suggest my patient cleanse their nose with a mild facial cleanser such as cetaphil after surgery. Good Luck

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I usually keep the splint for one week, and sometimes tape for an additional week.  This may reduce the swelling and produce a tighter seal to help with healing, but there is no evidence based medicine to support that.  I typically do not ask the patients to change the tape every day, so I would ask your plastic surgeon how much longer this needs to be done.

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

After rhinoplasty a cast is almost universally placed over the nose. Generally the cast sticks to tape placed over the nasal skin. The cast and tape are most frequently removed after a week. Less commonly the nose either remains taped or new tape is placed. This is done to reduce the post operative swelling which has accumulated. The goal is to press the overlying skin down onto the nasal skeleton, thereby preventing or reducing scar from forming inbetween. If scar forms, this can cause the nose to be too large and/or poorly shapened.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I usually just splint the nose for one week and do not put anything else on it afterwards. Every doctor is a bit different.

Douglas J. Kibblewhite, MD · Answer

Almost all rhinoplasties have tape and a splint applied for usually one week.  This is to keep the skin and soft tissues applied to the new nose structure underneath as the inevitable swelling occurs after the operation.  This swelling is generally worst two days out, and settles rapidly at about day five or so after the operation.

	Thus there seems little point in taping a nose after one week.

Why should I tape my nose daily after rhinoplasty?

Answers (5)

Answer: Rhinoplasty post-op care

Answer: Rhinoplasty post-op care

Answer: Taping after rhinoplasty

Answer: Taping after rhinoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Rhinoplasty

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Why should I tape my nose daily after rhinoplasty?

Answers (5)

Answer: Rhinoplasty post-op care

Answer: Rhinoplasty post-op care

Answer: Taping after rhinoplasty

Answer: Taping 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.