What is the minimum hemoglobin level preferable for rhinoplasty?

Question

Rhinoplasty got delayed due to low hemoglobin. Have been taking iron supplements for 4 weeks now, hemoglobin changed from 8.5 to 9.6. Would like to know what is the minimum hemoglobin level preferable for the surgery?

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

Patients who have low hemoglobin levels around the time of surgery are at risk for complications including a higher risk of infection, and a longer need for breathing assistance with a machine. The ideal hemoglobin level is a minimum of 11. Hope this helps.

Sugitha Seneviratne, MBBS, FRACS (Plas), FACCS · Answer

Hi,
In order to safely undergo elective surgery, all parameters including your haemoglobin should be optimised. The reason is that while rhinoplasty surgery is not typically associated with significant blood loss, should you bleed (typically in the context of osteotomies), your baseline haemoglobin will be low and your ability to tolerate the blood loss will be compromised.
In general terms, haemoglobin in excess of 10 would be considered acceptable but this should be determined by your surgeon on a case by case basis taking into account the presence of co-morbidities including heart disease.
Review by a physician prior to surgery to optimise you pre operatively for surgery may be worthwhile.
Best wishes 
Dr Sugitha Seneviratne

Ajaya Kashyap, MD · Answer

Thank-you for your query! There is no real magic number for the minimum amount of hemoglobin  for elective nose surgery but I prefer to have a level of 10 or more. Others may have a different protocol.  You seem to be close enough, and if you do not have an underlying problem, it should be okay to plan surgery in a few weeks, while continuing the iron supplements. Fortunately with the newer techniques like piezoelectric technique there is very little blood loss and surgery can proceed safely. Please discuss your concerns with your surgeon and anaesthesiologist. All the best!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Cheerful900480,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

What is the minimum hemoglobin acceptable for Rhinoplasty? The answer to this question will vary from surgeon to surgeon but will probably be between 10 and 11. Rhinoplasty generally does not involve significant blood loss, however in an exceptional case it may be more than expected. Most healthy young people will be OK with a hemoglobin of 10 however a hemoglobin in excess of 10 closer to 11 leaves more room for blood loss if it should occur.

Jeffrey C. Hamm, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi and welcome to our forum!
In general, in our practice, we accept a Hgb of 10 as the minimum acceptable value. As your Hgb has significantly increased after just 4 weeks of iron therapy, it looks like you're almost there...
However, the cause of your anemia must be determined and treated.
Best wishes...

What is the minimum hemoglobin level preferable for rhinoplasty?

Answers (6)

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