Scar tissue is unavoidable after undergoing any kind of surgery. It’s your body’s natural response to trauma. Most of the time, scar tissue is not a major problem for facial plastic surgery patients thanks to careful planning and our surgical expertise. In some cases, however, scar tissue can lead to a number of problems for patients.
The team at our San Mateo, CA plastic surgery center would like to consider problems related to scar tissue after rhinoplasty (nose job). We’ll go over various methods of preventing bad scar tissue as well as corrective surgeries that can be performed if needed.
Can Scar Tissue Affect Rhinoplasty Results?
Yes, and that goes for both open rhinoplasty and closed rhinoplasty.
In open rhinoplasty, a scar may form on the outside of the nose where the primary incision was made - on the skin between the nostrils (columella). In both open and closed rhinoplasty, scar tissue within the nose and along the cartilage can lead to problems with nasal shape and symmetry. Whatever the case may be, scar tissue problems mean poor results.
Thankfully a plastic surgeon has many ways of preventing and correcting excessive and/or problematic scar tissue after a rhinoplasty.
Pre-Planning to Prevent Scar Tissue Formation
During the consultation process, a plastic surgeon will ask a patient if they’ve had any issues with poor scarring, whether from previous injuries or surgical procedures. If patients have had problems with scarring in the past, a plastic surgeon will keep this in mind while creating a modified treatment plan for the patient’s surgery.
Pre-op Instructions to Prevent Too Much Scar Tissue
Before undergoing rhinoplasty, patients are given instructions for proper pre-op care. These include avoiding the use of tobacco products, refraining from alcohol consumption, and not using certain medications that thin the blood and otherwise impact healing.
Patients should follow these instructions in the weeks prior to their rhinoplasty to help reduce the risk of surgical complications.
Post-op Care to Avoid Scar Tissue and Other Complications
Patients will also be given extensive instructions about post-op care. These instructions help ensure quick, problem-free healing with great aesthetic results.
Post-op instructions include a list of do’s and don’ts after surgery, recommendations on rest and pain management, advice on avoiding sun damage, and a timeline of when you can return to normal activities.
Corticosteroid Injections for Scar Tissue
If scar tissue does form and impacts rhinoplasty results, some patients may benefit from corticosteroid injections. A series of carefully targeted injections can help reduce the appearance and extensiveness of the scar tissue.
How Many Corticosteroid Injections Will I Need?
The exact number of corticosteroid injections will vary from patient to patient. Each injection will occur several weeks apart from the previous one. You and your plastic surgeon can discuss these matters should there be any problems with scar tissue following surgery.
Corrective Surgery for Rhinoplasty Scar Tissue
If patients are not good candidates for corticosteroid injections, corrective surgery can be performed to improve the results. During these corrective procedures, surgeons will attempt to remove the scar tissue without impacting any other structures of the nose.
What to Expect from Scar Tissue Surgery
The scar tissue removal surgery is performed much like a traditional rhinoplasty, with patients placed under general anesthesia to prevent anxiety and discomfort. Surgeons may use an open or closed technique depending on the needs of the patient. The duration of the surgery can take a few hours, as it is more challenging than a traditional rhinoplasty.
Learn More about Rhinoplasty
To learn more about rhinoplasty and how to enhance the final results of surgery, be sure to contact Dr. John R. Griffin. Our team will create a treatment plan just for you and your needs.
