Does rhinoplasty require an assistant?

In our practice, since we are not part of a teaching program, our surgical assistant is always the scrub technician. The tech's purpose is to set up, and to hand instruments, and to assist the surgeon with exposure and the procedure. All rhinoplasty procedures require at least two people and an anesthesiologist. If you are dealing with a doctor who has his own physician assistant, or his own fellow in training, or otolaryngology resident , that could be another player during rhinoplasty surgery. I hope this answers your question! Sincerely, Dr Joseph

As the delicate tissues of the nose are being reshaped and repositioned, an assistant helps stabilize the tissues so accurate suturing and shaping can be the sole focus of the surgeon.

Thank you for your question. In my opinion, rhinoplasty is not a one-person intervention. While the assistant is often the scrub nurse, this arrangement can mean the nurse is required to perform two separate roles simultaneously. To optimise the process, having a dedicated surgical assistant—whether a nurse or another surgeon—is highly valuable.

A surgical assistant plays a crucial role in providing exposure to the treatment area, enabling the surgeon to gain better access and allowing them to use both hands effectively for the required work. This significantly enhances the precision and efficiency of the procedure.

Additionally, the assistant helps manage the small drops of blood that accumulate around the treatment area, which can otherwise obstruct visibility. By keeping the area clear, they ensure the surgeon can focus fully on the technical aspects of the rhinoplasty without interruption.