Does the Splint Affect Rhinoplasty Results?

A nasal splint or cast is an important part of most rhinoplasties.  They are required when osteotomies (bone cuts) have been performed.  This helps to stabilize the bone in its new position.  We typically leave the splint in position for about 5 days.  It is taped in place and easily removed.  We do not use nasal packing which is what you hear about being so uncomfortable from those who have had rhinoplasty procedures.

When the splint is removed, you may see that the tip of the nose looks slightly more swollen than where the splint was placed.  This is because the splint has helped to reduce the edema (swelling) where it was applied.

There is also some value in terms of protection during the acute healing phase so that if the nose is accidently bumped, the splint may help to protect additional injury.

The external splint is an important part of preserving your surgical result. Most surgeons place surgical tape/steri-strips on the exterior of the nose.
This helps do two very important things:

protect the skin from the splint, and
most importantly, decrease the amount of swelling.

The tape puts mild pressure on the skin envelope and can help prevent a blood pocket (hematoma) from forming between the skin and the nasal framework. When a hematoma develops, the blood is eventually replaced by fibrous tissue (scar tissue) and can distort the nose or add volume to the tip.
On top of the surgical tape, surgeons will put an external splint made of aluminum, plaster, plastic, etc. The purpose of this splint is to protect the nose and hold the nasal bones in position if they were broken.
It is possible that the external splint can be put on crooked, even if the surgeon adequately corrected youcrooked nose. Just because the cast/splint itself isnt straight doesnt necessarily mean that your nose wont be.

The splint keeps swelling down and holds the fractured bones in place. It also protects the nose from trauma. Most rhinoplasty surgeons use them and I think wisely so.