What if an sphenopalatine artery is cut during rhinoplasty? How can it be fixed and could it bleed again if cauterized?

Question

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The  sphenopalatine artery is nowhere near the external portion of the nose during the rhinoplasty procedure.  It is located way back behind the sinus cavities.  Double check your grays anatomy book..Choose your rhinoplasty specialist based on extensive experience producing natural results, since rhinoplasty is one of the most difficult procedures to perform correctly in the entire field of cosmetic surgery.

Mehdi Sina, MD · Answer

Hi,An experienced rhinoplasty surgeon will have intimate knowledge of nasal anatomy and will not get close to the sphenopalatine artery. If you have having concomitant sinus surgery, then you have some very minor risk of injuring the SPA. Cautery may be effective but surgical clips are better if bleeding were encountered. Finally, the blood supply to the nose is very rich and clipping or cauterizing the SPA is not deleterious.Best,Mehdi Sina, MD

Michael M. Kim, MD · Answer

Hi RioRoxy,The sphenopalatine artery (SPA) is nowhere near the extent of dissection in a rhinoplasty and therefore one should not worry about it being injured during a rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty. In the cases of intractable nosebleeds, it is sometimes ligated under endoscopy by sinus surgery specialists and there are not negative effects due to it being tied off. You face and nose have an extensive network of blood vessels can make up for the loss of SPA flow.Michael M. Kim, MD

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

This artery is only at risk during sinus procedures and even then an injury to the artery is very low. It can be repaired with endoscopic cautery AKA TESPAL procedure. If you’re considering rhinoplasty this should not be a primary concern. There are much more relevant things to consider. Best.

What if an sphenopalatine artery is cut during rhinoplasty? How can it be fixed and could it bleed again if cauterized?

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Answers (4)

More Rhinoplasty Questions

Can I brush and floss my teeth right after a rhinoplasty?

Is my nose hump genetics or due to deviated septum? Is my deviated spectrum causing my crooked nose? (Photo)

7 weeks post-op. I was a little sick and I saw my general practitioner. He prescribed me with augmentine and prednisone.

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