Institute for Rhinoplasty and Nasal Reconstruction
Institute for Rhinoplasty and Nasal Reconstruction

Changes in the Field of Revision Rhinoplasty

There are many changes going on in the field of revision rhinoplasty that will impact patients and doctors alike in the near future.

Changes in the Field of Revision Rhinoplasty
Los Angeles, CA, April 30, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Revision rhinoplasty is one of the more complicated procedures that can be performed by a facial plastic surgeon. Septal cartilage is typically not readily available in revision procedures and grafting material is often very much needed. The grafting material can come in the form of ear or rib cartilage as well as soft tissue from the scalp (temporalis fascia).

The following will emphasize the methods used in evaluating patients for revision rhinoplasty. We will discuss some of the commonly used techniques in revision rhinoplasty and the new options available in the field of rhinoplasty.

According to Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, Director of The Institute for Rhinoplasty and Nasal Reconstruction (www.rhinoplastynet.com) based in Beverly Hills, California, "special consideration must be used when providing added structural support, and the use of cartilage grafting."

Rhinoplasty surgeons, continually seek to refine results that are reliable and stable for a prolonged period of time. In the past 25 years there has been a consistent progression away from the simple reductive rhinoplasty technique (removing excess cartilage) and moving towards the use of grafts that complement the outcomes of the procedure as well as the aesthetic end result.

In the hands of sophisticated rhinoplasty surgeons, a patient's nose is typically altered in order to have appropriate proportion to correspond with the pre-operative analysis. Structural cartilage grafts are put in place to prevent future changes in the shape of the nose and the constricting affects of skin shrink wrapping on the skeletal framework.

Revision rhinoplasty is still one of the most challenging procedures in the field of plastic surgery. The main reasons that individuals require revision rhinoplasty is due to aesthetic concerns as well as breathing issues that can arise from previous rhinoplasty procedure.

Imperfections of the nose are corrected by reconstructing the cartilages and bony framework of the nose. If the nose imperfection is the bump this can be corrected with a reduction of tissue. If the nose imperfection is a depression of tissue, the additional cartilage is necessary to correct the area. “Collapsed or pinched tips need to undergo ‘reverse rhinoplasty’ where cartilage is brought back into its original place and contoured to obtain elegant aesthetics and normal function” according to Dr. Azizzadeh.

With new technology, the advent of long-lasting filler materials such as Restylane and Radiesse allows patients to fix minor imperfections in the office. This is commonly called “non-surgical rhinoplasty.” Some of the preferred methods are to inject saline into an area to first test what the nose would look like and to determine if the patient is satisfied with the injections and aesthetically pleasing to him or her. The filler in most cases is not permanent, but sometimes the results can last for a year or longer. Saline injection is one of the newer techniques used when doing surgery for a revision rhinoplasty.

Dr. Azizzadeh has had great success with this technique and adds "this tool is a great addition for revision rhinoplasty especially for patients who have minor issues from previous surgery and do not want to go into the operating room again." He does caution that surgeons who are adept at revision rhinoplasty should perform these procedures to ensure the correct aesthetics and outcome.

Unfortunately, 10 to 20% of rhinoplasty patients will require additional surgery. There are limits as to what can be achieved with a revision rhinoplasty procedure. With that in mind revision rhinoplasty necessitates a broad range of skills and techniques.

Revision rhinoplasty varies greatly depending on the extent of surgery required. In many cases, the revision alterations are very minor. Dr. Azizzadeh states " many people have their rhinoplasty done and the patient may damage the nose before it hasn't has had a chance to heal properly. These defects can come from bumping the nose unintentionally, which is not uncommon."

In most cases, with minor procedures, recovery can be fairly quick and performed on an outpatient program.

Secondary rhinoplasty is much more complicated when the initial surgery has resulted in not just cosmetic problems but actually has impaired the functionality of the nose. This can lead to impaired breathing which is one of the more common complications from a previous rhinoplasty. Patients must keep in mind that there are many factors that may limit what can be achieved by sculpting a patient's nose in revision rhinoplasty. Scar tissue can be built up from the initial rhinoplasty and the thickness of skin, cartilage, nasal tissue can restrict the end result of a revision rhinoplasty.

On a much deeper level, patients and plastic surgeons alike realize that secondary rhinoplasty is much more complicated when the surgery is just not cosmetic, but the functionality of the nose is impaired as well.

Dr. Azizzadeh takes all his patient's concerns into account when doing a revision rhinoplasty.

A secondary rhinoplasty can be much more complicated when the original operation not only impairs the cosmetic side of the surgery, but the functionality of the nose.

This can lead to deeper underlying psychological issues, when a patient has had several nose jobs and insecurities that calm with their post-operative appearance.

Dr. Azizzadeh not only takes into account the patient's motivation for aesthetic surgery, but also the health of the operation. Sometimes the patient's motivation for surgery is not healthy for them, and a good plastic surgeon is well within their rights to refuse to perform a rhinoplasty procedure.

Good communication between surgeon and patient is paramount. All expectations should be clearly discussed and clarified before it any type of aesthetic surgery is implemented.

About Dr. Azizzadeh

Dr. Azizzadeh is a Harvard educated board certified facial plastic surgeon, who treats patients from across the globe. It is not unusual for patients to travel to several thousand miles to get the best revision rhinoplasty surgery that can be attained.

You can find more information about Dr. Azizzadeh and the Institute for Rhinoplasty & Nasal Reconstruction at www.rhinoplastynet.com.

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Institute for Rhinoplasty and Nasal Reconstruction
Dr. Babak Azizzadeh
(310) 657-2203
www.rhinoplastynet.com
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