HEAD AND NECK

Για να κατεβάσετε το άρθρο σε μορφή κειμένου πατήστε εδώ (Άρθρο)

The nose occupies much of the surface of the face and it is located at its most central point. It is logical therefore that its appearance significantly affects the overall appearance of the face and people’s effort to correct some imperfections of the nose is understandable. Today, the safety of general anesthesia has made possible aesthetic surgery and of course rhinoplasty.

Undoubtedly, beauty is a very subjective matter. The views on beauty change with the historical periods and they are influenced by current fashion and celebrities. What, however, matters most are our experiences and our personal beliefs. Ultimately, the nose is located at our own face and body.

To understand each other, we should agree on some things. We can accept, again by majority, that some features of the nose could look more beautiful after surgical correction. Thus, a twisted or crooked nose or a hump on the back of the nose, a wide and voluminous nose, a long nose with a notably protruded tip, are some of the characteristics whose surgical correction does make sense. These cases are relatively simple, their treatment is based on proven long-tested techniques and they mainly concern patients with fairly realistic requirements.

Things become more complicated if the patient has special, personal requirements. Trying to reproduce the physical features of a fashion or TV celebrity, is much more demanding. Trying to change some subtle features to an otherwise good or even adequately decent nose is equally difficult.

Regardless of the type and extent of intervention in the nose, conditions are ideal when there has been no previous intervention in the area, such as an aesthetic surgery or a surgery to straighten the diaphragm, etc. Foregoing surgeries and any possible injuries of the nose may hinder our intervention. In some cases, a more detailed preoperative study, such as the performance of axial tomography may be required in order to determine the integrity of the tissues or the existence of possible implants (natural or artificial).

The axial tomography (CT scan) will also help to detect possible septic focuses in the maxillary and other paranasal sinuses that should be treated, either through medication or surgery prior to rhinoplasty.

Surgery is usually an extraction procedure. In many cases of rhinoplasty, however, implants may be added. The implants may be obtained from the ear pinna, the pleural cartilage or pelvic bones.

Today, we have the possibility to show to our patient on a computer, his / her possible appearance after the changes we propose to him /her or that he himself / she herself seeks. This will help ensure that the patient makes an informed choice, based on objective criteria. In this way, it is more likely that our patient will be satisfied with the final result. Of course, the final result is not always identical with the image of the computer. Despite advanced surgical techniques, sophisticated tools and materials used, the healing process of the tissues can take a different turn from what initially expected and the result may differ from the desired one. It seems logical that the more the nose image differs from the shape considered as ideal, the more impressive is the postoperative improvement of the image. However, the final result is less likely to be identical to the image on the computer.

The surgery is performed under general anesthesia and involves an overnight stay in hospital. The operation usually lasts two to three hours. In simple cases, incisions are made inside the nose. In complex cases, we prefer open rhinoplasty through subtle incision at the columella of the nose. For several cases, such as reoperations, the surgeon is required to have sufficient experience in facial cosmetic surgery. After surgery, a small splint is placed on the dorsum of the nose, which is removed after one week and maybe (if necessary) a loose tamponade inside the nose, which is removed the next day. Within the first 24 hours a severe swelling of the face and hematoma around the eyes are developed but they will disappear within the first ten days, and the patient will not look operated. Despite the impressive image of swelling and the hematomas, surgery is characterized by absence of postoperative pain, except in cases of inflammation.

Rhinoplasty and cosmetic surgery in general, are our right to be beautiful and to improve our body. Therefore, it is rather logical that rhinoplasty and cosmetic surgery be accompanied by the adoption of a healthier way of life, including healthier diet, more exercise, and absence from smoking and alcohol drinking as well as by trying to improve our personality.