Post-traumatic rhinoplasty is nose surgery done to repair the shape, the function, or both of a nose that has been damaged by injury, such as a fracture. A fresh nasal fracture is usually assessed within days, because swelling can hide the true shape and the bones set quickly, while surgery to reshape or reconstruct the nose after an injury is usually done once swelling and healing have settled. This guide explains post-traumatic rhinoplasty in India: types of nasal injury, when surgery is considered, risks and recovery. Rhinoplasty services are available at Newface, Chengannur, Kerala.

Also read: Rhinoplasty in Kerala, Revision Rhinoplasty in India, Wide Nose Correction

When to Seek Urgent Medical Care After a Nose Injury

Get medical help right away if, after an injury to the nose or face, you have:

• Bleeding that does not stop
• A bluish, bulging swelling inside the nose (this can be a septal haematoma, a collection of blood on the nasal septum, which needs prompt treatment)
• Clear, watery fluid draining from the nose
• Vision changes, severe headache, confusion or loss of consciousness
• Trouble breathing through the nose, or a nose that is clearly out of shape

What Is Post-Traumatic Rhinoplasty?

Post-traumatic rhinoplasty in India is surgery to improve the appearance and function of a nose that has been injured. Although rhinoplasty is usually seen as a cosmetic operation, it is also used for functional reasons. After nasal trauma, a person may have difficulty breathing, and problems can develop later if the damage is not repaired. The surgery is planned for each person’s injury and needs.

Types of Nasal Injury

Every nose and every injury is different. Common problems include:

• Broken nose (nasal fracture): a break in the nasal bones, and sometimes the cartilage. It often causes pain, swelling and bruising. If a fracture heals out of position, the nose can be crooked or have a bump or dip along the bridge.
• Septal haematoma: a collection of blood between the nasal septum and its lining. If it is not drained, it can damage the cartilage, and the septum or nasal bridge can collapse, which causes a “saddle nose” deformity.
• Airway blockage: injury can bend the septum or narrow the nasal passages, which can cause breathing difficulty, snoring, sinus problems and poor sleep.
• Repeated injuries: people who have had more than one injury, such as some athletes, may have several fractures and more complex damage.

Timing: When Is Treatment Done?

• Fresh fracture: a doctor (ENT, plastic or facial surgeon) examines the nose, and if the bones are out of place, they may be repositioned within about the first one to two weeks, once swelling allows, before the bones set. Not every fracture needs surgery.
• After healing: if the nose is still crooked, blocked or deformed, post-traumatic rhinoplasty, often with a septoplasty, is usually considered after the swelling has settled and the bones have healed, often several months after the injury. Your surgeon decides the timing.

What Is Post-Traumatic Rhinoplasty Used For?

Surgery may be needed when the bones or cartilage have been displaced or damaged. Displacement can make the nose look asymmetrical or deformed. Surgery is used to:

• Straighten a crooked nose
• Rebuild a collapsed or dipped bridge
• Open a blocked airway, for example by correcting a deviated septum
• Improve breathing, snoring or sleep problems caused by the injury
• Improve the appearance of the nose

How Is the Procedure Done?

• Assessment: the surgeon examines the nose inside and out, reviews your injury and may arrange scans.
• Anaesthesia: usually general anaesthesia.
• Correction: to straighten the nose, the surgeon may need to break and reset bone or cartilage. Some bone or cartilage may be removed to clear the airway.
• Grafts: cartilage or bone grafts from other parts of the body, such as the septum, ear or rib, may be used to restore or strengthen the nose and airway.
• Closure and support: the incisions are closed, and a splint may be placed over the nose.

Recovery After Post-Traumatic Rhinoplasty

• Downtime: plan at least about two weeks away from work or school.
• Swelling and bruising: redness, swelling and bruising are expected. Bruising usually settles in one to two weeks, and swelling, especially at the tip, can take months.
• First days: keep your head raised, use cold compresses as advised, and take medicines as prescribed.
• Activity: avoid strenuous activity and anything that could knock the nose for several weeks, as your surgeon advises.
• Final result: may take about a year to become clear.
• Follow-up: attend all follow-up visits, and contact your doctor if you have heavy bleeding, fever, or increasing pain or swelling.

Risks of Post-Traumatic Rhinoplasty

As with any surgery, risks include infection, bleeding, numbness and reactions to anaesthesia. Temporary nosebleeds are common. Other risks include a change in the sense of smell, breathing difficulty, asymmetry, scarring, problems at a graft donor site, and the possibility that surgery does not fully restore the shape and function of the nose. Further surgery may be needed. Results are not guaranteed and vary from person to person. Your surgeon should explain these risks before surgery.

What Affects the Cost of Post-Traumatic Rhinoplasty in India?

The cost depends on the extent of the injury and surgery, whether grafts are needed, the surgeon’s fees, the hospital, anaesthesia and follow-up. A surgeon can give you an estimate after assessing your nose.

Questions to Ask Before Surgery

• Is surgery needed, and what are the alternatives?
• What is the right timing for surgery in my case?
• What are the risks that apply to me?
• Will I need grafts, and from where?
• What does recovery involve?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is post-traumatic rhinoplasty?
It is nose surgery to repair the shape, function or both of a nose that has been damaged by injury, such as a fracture.

When should a broken nose be treated?
A doctor should examine a broken nose within the first few days. If the bones need to be repositioned, this is usually done within about one to two weeks, before they set. Surgery to reshape the nose after healing is usually done later.

Can post-traumatic rhinoplasty improve breathing?
Yes, when the breathing problem is due to a structural problem such as a deviated septum or collapsed nasal passages. This is decided after an assessment.

What is a septal haematoma?
It is a collection of blood between the nasal septum and its lining after an injury. It needs prompt treatment, because it can damage the cartilage and lead to a saddle nose.

How long is recovery?
Plan about two weeks away from work or school. Swelling can take months to settle, and the final shape can take about a year to become clear.

Are the results guaranteed?
No. Results vary, all surgery carries risks, and further surgery may sometimes be needed.

Information provided by: Dr. Mathew P C, [QUALIFICATIONS], Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Registration status: [REGISTERED]. [STATE MEDICAL COUNCIL / NATIONAL MEDICAL REGISTER] registration no.: [NUMBER].

This page provides general health information for education only. It is not a substitute for medical advice and does not promise or guarantee any result. Outcomes vary from person to person.

Newface, 8J4F+X7X, Hatchery Junction, Chengannur, Kerala 689122. Phone: +91 8330077198

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