Rhinoplasty
About the disease & condition
Known Symptoms
- Aesthetic concerns: Visible humps, drooping or bulbous tip, wide nostrils, crooked nasal bridge.
- Functional impairments: Chronic nasal congestion, snoring, difficulty breathing during exercise.
Red flags (contraindications):
Body dysmorphic disorder, unrealistic expectations, active nasal infection.
Known Causes
- Cosmetic indications: Dorsal hump reduction, nasal tip refinement, width reduction, asymmetry correction.
- Functional indications: Nasal airway obstruction (e.g., deviated septum, valve collapse).
Reconstructive indications:
Post-traumatic deformity, congenital defects (e.g., cleft lip nose), tumor resection. - Contributing factors: Patient dissatisfaction with nasal appearance, age-related changes, and genetic traits.
Care
- Prevention: Careful preoperative planning using computer imaging (to align expectations). Smoking cessation to promote healing.
- Follow-up:
- Short-term: Splint removal at 1 week; monitoring for early complications.
- Long-term: Assessments at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months (final results may take 1 year due to residual swelling).
- Functional testing (e.g., airway patency) if indicated.
Note: Rhinoplasty requires a balance between aesthetic goals and functional integrity. Surgeons must prioritize nasal airway preservation while achieving desired cosmetic outcomes. Revision rates range from 5–15%, often due to unrealistic expectations or healing variations.
Relevant Specialties

Plastic Surgery
Our Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Microvascular Surgery offers comprehensive care for both functional and cosmetic needs, handling routine aesthetic procedures as well as complex reconstructions that other centres may refer to. Our surgeons are trained in microvascular “free tissue transfer” for head and neck reconstruction. We treat congenital differences, trauma and burns, cancer-related defects, hand conditions and complex vascular problems, and provide a full suite of cosmetic options from rhinoplasty and eyelid surgery to liposuction and non-surgical skin treatments. Supported by a craniofacial unit, dedicated burn services, lymphedema care and specialist operating theatres, the team works closely with oncologists, ENT, maxillofacial and rehabilitation specialists to plan each case.



