How To Fix A Broken Nose Through Rhinoplasty

Even the slightest injuries to the nose can be quite painful. But a blow that is severe enough to break your nose can be excruciating and may alter your appearance. This is why many seek treatment to repair the inner workings of the nose through surgery. Also called nose reshaping, rhinoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures for both medical and aesthetic reasons. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 213,000 people in the U.S. have had this transformative surgery.

Rhinoplasty is an effective solution for both cosmetic reasons and its ability to repair the function of the nose following an injury. For Las Vegas, NV, patients who have suffered an injury resulting in a broken nose, rhinoplasty can provide some much-needed relief. This complex surgery can restore the nose to its original, if not better, form. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Khorsandi is the Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIP Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas and an expert in rhinoplasty procedures. Read below as he details how a broken nose can be fixed through rhinoplasty surgery.

Selecting your plastic surgeon

If you think you have a broken nose, it’s important to find a plastic surgeon as soon as possible, before the bones have a chance to reset. The most important step you can take in your rhinoplasty procedure is to select a qualified plastic surgeon. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Khorsandi at VIP Plastic Surgery in the Las Vegas area is highly knowledgeable and experienced in this field and can help determine if and how rhinoplasty can best help you. During your initial consultation, Dr. Khorsandi will evaluate your case thoroughly, answer your questions, explain the procedure, and formulate a surgical plan.

Common symptoms of nasal fractures

The variety of symptoms that may occur as a result of a broken nose can vary. Some of the most obvious signs include:

• Extreme pain

• Nosebleed

• Difficulty breathing through the nose

• Swelling both inside and outside the nose

• Dark bruises around the eyes (black eyes)

Diagnosis of nasal fractures

Dr. Khorsandi will conduct a physical examination of your face, including the eyes, jaw, and teeth, looking for signs of swelling. In most cases, an x-ray or CT scan will be taken to check for fractures. Generally, Dr. Khorsandi will look for an abnormal appearance of the patient's nose relating to shape and symmetry, and inquire about any difficulty in breathing.

Rhinoplasty surgery for the fix

Las Vegas-area men and women who have suffered a broken nose are candidates for rhinoplasty to realign the bones while reshaping the nose. Sometimes the break has also damaged the nasal septum, which can lead to restricted airways in the nasal passages, resulting in reconstruction surgery to fix the deviated septum. A deviated septum occurs when the wall of bone and cartilage that separates the nostrils has shifted to one side of your nose. Often the result of an injury to the nose, septoplasty can correct the deviated septum by strengthening it and allowing for better airflow to the nose.

During this outpatient surgery at Dr. Khorsandi’s accredited surgery center, general anesthesia is utilized to ensure patient comfort. Cuts are made within the nostrils, and in more complicated cases, incisions may also be made along the base of the nose. Dr. Khorsandi skillfully reshapes the inner bone and cartilage to produce or restore a beautiful appearance while improving breathing and airways.

Your recovery period

Following surgery, absorbable sutures are placed within the nostrils along with non-absorbable stitches along the base of the nose. After about a week, the stitches will be removed along with the soft splints placed within the nose to retain its new shape while healing. Nose blowing should be avoided for the first week, but saline spray may be used to flush the nostrils. Patients are advised to sleep with their head elevated on two or three pillows for the first 48 hours to minimize swelling. Strenuous exercise should be avoided for the first 3 – 6 weeks following surgery. After about 2 – 3 weeks, you will be able to attend social events without any signs that you have had a nasal procedure done.

Expect your nose to have some swelling that will not be noticeable to most people. Over the next six months, the swelling will subside, and your nose’s final appearance will take shape once it has healed completely.

Rhinoplasty can put your nose back together

Las Vegas-area men and women who are suffering from a broken nose can benefit significantly from rhinoplasty. Not only will your nose look normal again, but any structural deformities will be corrected so you can breathe with ease. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Christopher Khorsandi, board-certified Chief Plastic Surgeon at VIP Plastic Surgery in Las Vegas, NV, so you can learn more about how rhinoplasty can fix your broken nose.