Postoperative Care of the Rhinoplasty Patient

Abstract

A methodical and consistent postoperative sequence of care can help ensure optimal results in primary and secondary rhinoplasty. Record keeping and surgical diagrams are described, and external splinting, septal splinting, perioperative medications, and intranasal packing are discussed. Managing suboptimal results and deformities such as the pollybeak deformity, supratip taping, revision surgery, deviation, and skin changes are covered. Meticulous attention to detail in the operating room and in the postoperative period is paramount to achieving success in rhinoplasty. The early postoperative evaluation serves to alert the surgeon to potential complications and allows early intervention to improve suboptimal results.