Overview: Rhinoplasty Revision

Individuals who have had rhinoplasty in the past and are looking to repair problems from the previous surgery, may consider revision rhinoplasty. Seattle facial surgeon, Dr. Craig Jonov, performs revision rhinoplasty to help patients regain their confidence by repairing the look and function of the nose following a surgery that didn’t produce good results. Depending on what is needed to bring the nose into balance, he may reduce, augment, or refine the bone and cartilage. Cartilage may be grafted from other areas of the body, such as the ear or septum, if necessary.

Surgical Technique

Full Rhinoplasty Revision

Secondary rhinoplasty can be challenging as the surgeon works to correct or fix a problem stemming from the first surgery. During this procedure, the majority of surgeons use an open approach. This entails separating the skin from the support framework of cartilage and bone, which offers the surgeon full access to the structures within the nose. The surgeon will re-sculpt the nose to a more desired shape depending on the problem. If additional tissue is needed, an autologous approach is typically taken, which uses cartilage and bone from the patient.

Touch-Up Rhinoplasty

Some patients may be happy with the look and feel of their nose following surgery, but need a slight touch-up. This may include a visible bump or edge on the tip of the nose. The imperfection is usually found and discussed during a post-operative appointment and it is common for the original surgeon to address the issue. This surgery is less complex than the original surgery and may only involve slight shaving of the bone. It usually produces results both the patient and surgeon are content with.

Questions about Rhinoplasty Revision

Better Results

An experienced nose surgeon who is trained and skilled in revision surgery will understand the dynamics behind what went wrong during the first operation and how to correct the problems with a secondary procedure. While the procedure itself can be quite complex, the results are often pleasing for the patient. It is extremely important to do your research when looking for a revision specialist.

Cartilage Grafting

In some cases, you will need cartilage grafting in order to produce the desired results. This can be done by taking cartilage and bone from another part of the body, such as the ribs, and using it to correct a certain nasal structure. Cartilage and bone grafting are usually only needed in more severe cases, including framework reconstruction.

How Common?

Revision rhinoplasty is actually somewhat common. It varies by practice and by rhinoplasty surgeon, but some experts put minor revision rates between 5-15%. A large majority of these patients desire only tweaking and minor adjustments. True reconstruction and major revision cases are on the lower end of the spectrum.

During/After Rhinoplasty Revision Surgery

Dr. Jonov performs secondary rhinoplasty under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical facility. The length of this surgery depends on whether the surgeon is fully reconstructing or making a minor alteration to the nose. After surgery, patients will wear a nose splint and experience bruising and swelling. For patients undergoing revision surgery, the process can be somewhat unnerving. The goal is for the nose to return to a natural, non-surgical appearance. If an experienced surgeon is performing the procedure, the results are often very good.

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