In the past, one of the major downsides of undergoing a nose job was the highly uncomfortable recovery process. Older techniques involved significant trauma to the nasal tissues and structures, resulting in a great deal of bruising, swelling, and postoperative bleeding. To control these side effects of the procedure, rhinoplasty surgeons used a technique known as nasal packing. This dreaded custom was the norm following rhinoplasty, whether for functional, cosmetic, or reconstructive purposes, and patients just had to put up with it to get the results they wanted.
But is nasal packing necessary following a modern rhinoplasty procedure, and how do the changing customs affect rhinoplasty patients?
What is Nasal Packing in Rhinoplasty?
Nasal packing involves stuffing the nasal passages with nasal packing materials like sterile cotton or gauze post-surgery. Many dread this because it’s highly uncomfortable and prevents breathing through the nose after surgery until the packing is removed, potentially lasting up to two weeks.
Why Nasal Packing Was Used
In the past, surgical techniques were not quite as refined as they are today, and more procedures resulted in postoperative bleeding and other issues caused by the trauma of surgery. The packing’s purpose was to absorb this blood and help prevent complications from the surgery. Today, if packing is used in the nasal passages, it is usually removed after only a day or two, and the materials that can be used are more advanced, sometimes encouraging processes like clotting.
A Mostly Obsolete Technique
While there are instances of packing following nose surgery that do go on, the technique continues to fade into the background and become more and more obsolete. Younger surgeons and those who keep up with the trends tend not to use it for most patients, especially if their skills are such that renders nasal packing unnecessary. Modern surgeons, especially the younger generation who are up-to-date with current medical practices, rarely find the need for internal nasal packing. Most rhinoplasty surgeries today result in very little bleeding, and the normal process is now to simply put a splint on the nose for a few days to aid in a quicker recovery time help to support the new nasal shape, and control swelling.
Modern Rhinoplasty Recovery
Today, recovery is a much simpler process, though it does take some work and diligence on the part of the patient to protect the nose and promote an optimal and comfortable healing process. While nasal packing is no longer commonplace, the nose will still feel extremely congested and uncomfortable during the healing process. Even without packing, patients may experience a sensation akin to a stuffy nose. The splint will come off after a few days, and most patients return to work within about two weeks following surgery. The nose is still very fragile for a few months after the surgery, and patients need to take care not to jostle it. Swelling subsides slowly, and results should be fully complete around the one-year mark or so.
Better Outcomes, Gentler Surgeries
Advancements in technique, including the adoption of nasal packing methods that reduce trauma, mean that surgeons can now achieve excellent results without the previously common harsh recovery. Advanced tools and the shift to techniques like open rhinoplasty give surgeons greater control over the results and help patients meet their goals without the laborious recovery period that was the norm in the earlier days of rhinoplasty.
Choosing a Rhinoplasty Specialist
Though many plastic surgeons offer rhinoplasty, it is one of the most difficult and complex procedures available. The interplay between the bone, cartilage, and skin, combined with the fact that the nose is a prominent facial feature with an important function—breathing, sets rhinoplasty apart as a surgery requiring great skill, artistry, and experience. Choosing the surgeon to perform your surgery is one of your most important responsibilities as a patient, and will be a determining factor in the success of your procedure.
If you are looking for a true specialist, look no further than Dr. Shervin Naderi, a specialist even among rhinoplasty experts. Dr. Naderi focuses nearly his entire practice on nasal surgery, and is often a resource for other plastic surgeons with difficult cases. If you would like to discuss your goals for nose surgery with Dr. Naderi, call the Naderi Center in Reston, VA (703-481-0002) or Chevy Chase, MD (301-222-2020) to schedule a consultation today.
