Do all surgeons put splints into a nose after rhinoplasty that consisted of breaking bones, removing a bump from the top of the nose, making the nose narrower, and straighten the nose? Why would you and why would you not put splints and/or packing after rhinoplasty? I see that some people don’t get packing but a lot have splints after rhinoplasty. I would like to understand the benefit and reasons why some surgeons put them in while others don't.
Question About Splints and Packing After Rhinoplasty?
Doctor Answers 19
Reason for splints after septal surgery
Surgeons typically will use splints or packing whenever work is done on the septum. If no work is done on the septum, then neither of those two things is necessary. The benefit is the same benefit as the splint or cast that goes on the top of your nose after rhinoplasty - it limits the amount of swelling and it provides some support to the septum as it is healing. The question of packing vs. splints relates more to the surgeon's personal preference.
Use of splints and packing following rhinoplasty
Splints are used almost always after any rhinoplasty to give the tissues support during the first few days of surgery. They are also a “reminder” to the patient to protect the nose early on, as usually there is not much pain after the procedure. Packing is not always done, though useful for internal “splinting” for the first 24 hours or so. This also helps in compression to prevent bleeding during the early couple of days post-op.
Packing and Splints
Packing and splints are used to prevent bleeding in the nasal septum by compressing skin and mucous membrane that may have been raised during a septoplasty and rhinoplasty. Some surgeons, my self included, also quilt the septum with through and through sutures. Not all septums need splints or packing. I generally do not pack noses. I tend to use silicone plastic splints for 7 days in most of my cases.
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Splints and Packing After Rhinoplasty #nosejob
Every Rhinoplasty surgeon has their way of doing things. There are some commonalities between us though. If you have septal work or bony work most of us put some type of internal support to hold the mucosal layers on either side of the septum together. This helps prevent hematoma formation between these two layers. Sometimes I will sew these layers together with a dissolvable suture and forego the internal splints. As far as a splint over the outside of the nose, most of us that perform some type of repositioning of the nasal bones want to splint those bones to try and hold them in position until they begin to scar in place. Hope this helps clear some of your questions up.
Splints and packing after rhinoplasty.
External splints are placed for two reasons: help control the swelling and protect the bones that were relocated from moving. Internal splints and packing are placed for two reasons: to bring the mucosa(internal lining of the nose) back against the cartilage and bones and to support the septum. There are less important reasons for the external and internal support but these are thee mainones. Depending on the extent of the surgery, the technique used, and what part of the nose was operated on the surgeon will decide what he needs to maintain the result and proper healing.
Rhinoplasty Splinting is Universal. Packing and Breathing are Variable
Hello, Chicago friend.
Greetings from a native Chicagoan, Dr. Robert Kotler.
Every surgeon provides protection to a rhinoplasty case by placing a customize, firm plastic or metal splint on the outside.
Management of the inside nasal passages is more customized. Some surgeons use no packing; others do and some use internal splints, packing and provide an airway to assure comfort and safety.
Remember, a rhinoplasty changes only the outside. No major changes are made on the inside. However, if breathing is a problem, then it is wise to tackle that issue at the same time as the rhinoplasty. Examples of problems which call for such attention are: deviated septum, enlarged turbates ( usually due to allergy), sinus infections. If one is correcting a crooked nose, perhaps from a nasal fracture, most likely the inside will need some attention as it is routine to straighten a deviated septum if it is contributing to the crookedness of the nose.
The more work you have done on the inside, the greater the need for internal packing, possible splinting ( securing the tissues together using a plastic part)
Of course, the patient is more interested in, and concerned about, breathing well, immediately after surgery. Technical particulars are confusing and of secondary importance. That brings up the issue of the surgeon providing a clear airway, regardless of whether the nose is packed or not.
Personally, I like packing because it allows for control of unusual bleeding, if such occurs. And it allows us to place some internal antibiotics to reduce the chance of infection. Not all surgeons will agree but these are good reasons for many. Some surgeons are reluctant to pack because they are worried that the patient will be unhappy because the breathing is shut off.
Because I have investigated the issue of providing the patient with good breathing after surgery, I invented the KOTLER NASAL AIRWAY. That device is one, among several, that can help patients breathe well after surgery.
You should investigate all these issues but the first question should be asked of the doctors you consult with: "Are you doing any inside work and if so, what about packing, splints and airways?"
Hope this helps.
Robert Kotler, MD, FACS
Author, SECRETS OF A BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC SURGEON
Packing usually not necessary after rhinoplasty.
Packing is used only when extensive work on the septum and the turbinates is done. Splint is applied when the nasal bones are broken (usually).
Internal packing is one option to control and prevent a collection of blood from developing over your nasal septum. This can have devastating consequences. Another option is to use quilting sutures on the septum - I find this is less bothersome to patients.
As for external splints/casts - there's no good evidence that I know of to support this. Many surgeons use it to protect the nose and decrease post-op swelling. I don't think it's critical. If anything, I think it's main function is to remind people that they have had surgery and that they should be careful.
Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C)
Splints and packing
I alomst always use a nasal splint especially when I infracture the bones. As for packing I sometimes use it when I perform septal work.
Splints vs Packing in Rhinoplasty
- Splints are normally referring to removable silicone sheets that help hold the septum in the middle for a week after surgery. These are not necessary if the septum is not badly crooked.
- External splints or "casts" come in lots of shapes and sizes and can be thought of as a brace over the nose (for protection and to limit swelling like an ankle wrap on a sprained ankle)
- Packing of the nose with sponges or gauze was used more routinely in the past than it is now.
- Most of the time, if the nose has some bleeding after surgery, a small amount of nonadherent gauze can be placed, which is easy to remove.
Hope this helps.
These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.