ENT examined my nose using a metal tool - could it have caused structural damage to my septorhinoplasty?

Question

Good day. I went to see my ENT and when she examined my nose she used a metal tool to pry open my nostrils widely and she lifted my tip right up to see inside using this tool. Could this manouveringhave caused any structural damage to my nostrils and tip? I am almost 2 years post septo rhinoplasty (I did have major tip work done to lift it up). Thank you

Lexie Wang, MD · Answer

The tool used is called a speculum. It would not have caused any damage to your nose, unless your surgeon did an extremely bad job securing things in place, seeing as we use this same tool to examine your nose after surgery anyway. With you being 2 years out from surgery, it absolutely should have no effect on your rhino results.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

After rhinoplasty surgery, we commonly look on the inside of somebody's nose with a nasal speculum to clean it, and to ensure that all is healing well. This is not a maneuver that would alter your tip cartilages in anyway. I hope this helps! Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

Robert Ciardullo, MD · Answer

Could a nasal speculum exam damage your nose after nasal surgery? The simple answer to the question is that it would not. The Cartlidge of the tip and septum is flexible and can be stretched, moved side to side, or lifted without damaging it.

ENT examined my nose using a metal tool - could it have caused structural damage to my septorhinoplasty?

Answers (3)