Revision Rhinoplasty Requires a Cautious Approach

[Medical Today = Reporter Kim Jun-su] Rhinoplasty is known to have a particularly high rate of dissatisfaction and revision surgeries among plastic surgeries. Since the nose is the most three-dimensional feature located at the center of the face, if the surgery is not successful, satisfaction can drop significantly compared to other areas. If the results are unsatisfactory, patients often undergo multiple revision procedures, which is why it must be approached with caution.

Revision rhinoplasty is performed for various reasons. Dissatisfaction is one cause, such as disliking the shape of the nose after surgery, or having an implant that is too high or too low. Other causes include side effects from the procedure, such as inflammation caused by the implant, implant visibility, implant shifting, and capsular contracture.

When undergoing revision rhinoplasty, it is necessary to thoroughly analyze the causes of dissatisfaction and the side effects from the previous surgery, accurately identify the problems, and improve them in the appropriate direction. In particular, revision surgery has a higher level of difficulty than the primary surgery and must proceed with greater care; therefore, it is advisable to proceed with the operation only after thorough consultation with an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.

Rather than simply removing the implant used in the previous surgery, it is also important to cleanly remove the capsule from the previous surgery without causing damage. The capsule is a membrane that forms around the inserted implant, and if not completely removed, the nasal line may look blunt and unnatural. Remaining capsule tissue may necessitate further revision surgery, so it must be cleanly removed during the revision procedure.

In addition, the nose is an important organ responsible for breathing and the sense of smell beyond its aesthetic aspects, so the revision surgery must consider functionality alongside aesthetics. High surgical satisfaction can be achieved by correcting the cause of the revision while also cleanly resolving any functional nasal issues that arose from the initial surgery.

▲ Director Kim Sung-hoon (Photo provided by SH Plastic Surgery)

To prevent subsequent revision surgeries, it is crucial to perform the operation in a way that prevents the shape of the nose from deforming again, and to conduct the surgery using highly safe methods to minimize rejection and contracture. The materials used in rhinoplasty vary, including cartilage (ear cartilage, septal cartilage, rib cartilage), dermis fat, silicone, Gore-Tex, and Alloderm; thus, it is best to select the material suitable for the patient through sufficient consultation with medical staff.

Dr. Kim Sung-hoon, director of SH Plastic Surgery, explained, "Revision rhinoplasty requires accurately identifying the issues of the first surgery through thorough consultation with the patient and performing surgery tailored to them based on a precise diagnosis. As it must proceed carefully considering both the function and aesthetics of the nose, a customized surgery by a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon with abundant experience in revision rhinoplasty is necessary."

He further advised, "Continuous observation and care after revision rhinoplasty can aid in a fast recovery, so choosing a clinic that provides meticulous aftercare will be beneficial."

[Press Release] Revision Rhinoplasty Requires a Careful Approach

Source: Medical Today https://mdtoday.co.kr/news/view/1065579107570662