Revision rhinoplasty can be even more involved than the original nose surgery. That’s why it is so important to do your research and trust the board-certified surgical training and experience of Dr. Smith. He has been in private practice for almost a quarter century, and his skills will give you the nose you thought you were going to get when you had your prior surgery.
What is revision rhinoplasty?
The reasons patients come to our beautiful Okatie offices for revision rhinoplasty are varied. Revision rhinoplasty can be needed for simple breathing, as the previous surgery has somehow occluded the nasal passages. It may be for cosmetic reasons such as the bridge sagging. Some people may have had as many as five or six prior surgeries.
Revision rhinoplasty demands expertise because it can be even more complicated than the original procedure. Tissue and cartilage grafts can be required to provide the required mass needed for the procedure. Sometimes the nose needs to, in effect, be rebuilt.
How is this done?
Dr. Smith treats each of these procedures as completely unique. Some of these surgeries can be straightforward, where the patient simply wants some additional bone or cartilage removed from the nasal bridge. Maybe the tip remained more bulbous than they were hoping.
Or these procedures can be quite involved. Due to previous mistakes, the surgery could basically require a complete rebuilding of the nose. In these cases, the previous surgeon removed too much tissue, cartilage, or bone, leaving the patient disfigured. Revising these prior mistakes can require surgeries lasting up to four hours. These surgeries may require tissue grafts harvested from the ear, ribs, or temple regions to restore the necessary amount of cartilage, bone, and fascia. In these types of revisions, the skin and soft tissue can be a limitation due to previous scarring and a developed resistance to expansion. In these cases, it’s important to have realistic expectations.
For revision rhinoplasties, the open method is preferred because it allows better access to the structures that may need grafting or rebuilding. Open rhinoplasty is done through an incision on the skin under the nose between the nostrils. If that sort of access isn’t needed, Dr. Smith will use the closed method where all incisions are made inside the nose.
Disappointed with the results of a previous nose surgery? You don’t have to live with them. Come see Dr. Smith and let’s see how we can help with revision surgery. Call us at (843) 705-8940 to schedule a consultation.
