Rhinoplasty, the Nose Job Defined

Filed in archive Procedures , Rhinoplasty on March 12, 2010

Rhinosplasty, also known for years as a "nose job", is the surgical reshaping of the nose in order to achieve a more aesthetically appealing appearance, or to correct breathing difficulties due to abnormal structures in the nose.

© Betsssssy

Rhinoplasty can address various problems with the shape of the nose.
It can:

• Change the bridge, correcting for bumps or straightening the nose
• Reshape the tip of the nose
• Alter length and width of the nose
• Alter the width of the nostrils
• Open up the nasal airways to help breathing
• Restructure of reconstruct the nose after injury

Closed or Open Rhinoplasty
There are basically two approaches to rhinoplasty; working from inside the nose, or "closed rhinoplasty", or by making a small incision and gently elevating the skin to reach the structures to be operated upon, or "open rhinoplasty". The approach varies based on the area and problem being treated.

How It's Done
1. Bridge: If the bridge or dorsum is being altered, the surgeon removes the bone or cartilage that is causing the bump in the nose. The nose may even be broken to allow the remaining bone to be drawn closer together, resulting in a narrowing of the nose.

2. Tip: Altering the tip of the nose involves removing or reshaping the cartilage there. Surgery is performed through the nostril or by making an incision between the nostrils in an area called the columella.

3. Length and Width: Surgeons can reduce the length of the nose by adjusting the septum-the central structure of the nose, in addition to removing nose tip cartilage. Width of the nose can be reduced by breaking and repositioning the side nasal bones.

4. Adding to the nose: Using cartilage grafts from the septum or using silicone implants, surgeons can add to the nose. This process is called "additional rhinoplasty", and is often used to build up the bridge of a flat nose.