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Rhinoplasty – Common Medical Tourism Procedures

Rhinoplasty

Definition:

Rhinoplasty or nose reshaping is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries performed in the medical tourism business. It is a surgical procedure which is usually performed by an otolaryngologist (head and neck surgeon), maxillofacial surgeon, or plastic surgeon in order to improve the function (reconstructive surgery) or the appearance (cosmetic surgery) of a human nose.

Details of procedure:

Rhinoplasty is performed to:

  • Change the shape and/or size of nose for improvement in aesthetic look
  • Narrow the nostril opening
  • Correct injury or birth defect
  • Alleviate breathing problems

Facts and Figures:

  • The credit for developing reconstructive nose surgery goes to Sushruta, an Indian Ayurvedic physician. He first described nasal reconstruction in his text ‘Sushruta Samhita’, 500 BC.
  • Jacques Joseph is considered as precursor to the modern rhinoplasty, who represented his revolutionary concepts of nasal surgery in 1898.
  • Rhinoplasty is one of the top five most popular cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States. They have reported that a total of 152,434 rhinoplasty surgeries were performed in the year 2008.

Advantages and Disadvantages:

Advantages:

  • By obtaining a desired shape of nose, many patients regain their lost self confidence
  • Relieve from chronic breathing problems

Disadvantages:

  • Results not up to expectation
  • Unwanted scarring
  • Chances of continued pain and numbness for months post surgery

Risks and Complications:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Breathing problems due to airway obstruction
  • Visible scar or keloid
  • Loss of smell due to nerve damage
  • Skin discoloration or irregularities
  • Medicinal or anaesthesia reaction

Pre-operative and Post-operative care:

Pre-operative preparation:

  • Consultation with surgeon to obtain a prescription on recommended medication and advice on medicines to be discontinued.
  • Inform the surgeon about any allergies related to food, drug or environmental elements as well as smoking and alcohol consumption patterns.
  • Medical tourists are advised to select a hotel near to the hospital, for recovery after discharge from hospital.
  • Physical examination
  • Arrangements for leave from work, help at home, help with driving, and for post operative recovery period
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery.

Post-operative care:

  • The nasal packing placed during the surgery will be removed within 3-5 days of the procedure.
  • Patients may suffer from nose pain and swelling of the face immediately following the procedure. Some patients might experience pain, numbness and swelling for months afterward too.

Do’s, Don’ts and Precautions:

  • Do only light activity for 2-3 weeks.
  • Don’t blow nose for at least 1 week.
  • Don’t wear glasses or rest anything on nose for at least 2 months.
  • Keep head elevated while you sleep for 1 week.

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