The nose is extremely delicate after rhinoplasty (nose job). In fact, blowing your nose and wearing glasses can negatively impact the appearance of the nose while you are healing. To prevent these kinds of problems from occurring, it’s important to protect the nose and keep it stabilized in the early days after surgery. That’s where rhinoplasty splints come into play.
The staff at our San Mateo, CA plastic surgery center would like to consider some of the basics when it comes to rhinoplasty splints. This should give you a good understanding of their importance to the healing process.
What Are Rhinoplasty Splints?
Also known as nasal splints, rhinoplasty splints refer to simple devices that are used to immobilize the nose following surgery. They are similar to braces or splints that would be used to stabilize a body part after other kinds of surgical procedures.
Splints tend to be made of aluminum or silicone, though other materials are available and could be more viable for your recovery needs.
Why Are Rhinoplasty Splints Used?
By immobilizing the nose as a patient heals, rhinoplasty splints help ensure the best possible results from the surgery. The bone, cartilage, and skin will not shift out of place, and patients are less likely to experience problems with unwanted scar tissue as they heal. There are external and internal splints available, both of which help with the healing process.
External Rhinoplasty Splints
External splints are used after all types of nasal surgeries. They are held in place using special surgical tape, resting against the nose following the end of the surgical procedure. The splint helps keep swelling down while protecting the delicate structures of the nose from moving as the patient heals.
Internal Rhinoplasty Splints
Internal splints are not always used following rhinoplasty, though they serve a similar purpose. When in place, internal rhinoplasty splints support the septum, the partition between the two nostrils.
These internal splints are often used when surgeons perform septoplasty, a procedure that corrects a deviated septum.
How Long Will Rhinoplasty Splints Be in Place?
Internal rhinoplasty splints are usually kept in for about three to five days after surgery. An external rhinoplasty splint might be worn for a week to two weeks. During the consultation process, your surgeon will be able to give you a better idea of how long your rhinoplasty splints will remain in place.
Removal of Rhinoplasty Splints
Your rhinoplasty splints will be removed at one of your post-op follow-up visits with your plastic surgeon. The process is not painful, and surgeons work carefully to not disturb the tissues of the nose while healing is still in progress.
Never attempt to remove or adjust your rhinoplasty splints on your own. This is something that should only be done by your plastic surgeon. Adjusting or moving the splints could have a negative impact on the results of your surgery.
What if My Rhinoplasty Splints Come Loose?
It’s unlikely that internal or external rhinoplasty splints will come loose on their own given how they are carefully and securely placed.
That said, you should contact your plastic surgeon as soon as possible if any issues with rhinoplasty splints occur during the first days of post-op recovery. Getting immediate attention can prevent complications and help ensure the best possible surgical outcomes.
Learn More About Rhinoplasty
To learn more about recovering from nasal surgery and looking your very best, be sure to contact Dr. John R. Griffin. Our team will discuss the pre-op and post-op process in greater detail.
