Duke's expert physicians offer rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, at the state-of-the-art Duke Aesthetics Center in Durham, North Carolina.

Rhinoplasty is a procedure to change the size or shape of the nose.

It can be used to reduce or increase the size of the nose, change the shape of the tip or the nasal bridge, narrow the opening of the nostrils, change the angle between the nose and the upper lip, correct a birth defect or injury, or help relieve some breathing problems.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your nose, rhinoplasty can produce effective, permanent results that will bolster your self-esteem and improve your self-image.

Procedure Details

During surgery the skin of the nose is separated from its supporting framework of bone and cartilage, which is then sculpted to the desired shape. The nature of the sculpting will depend on your problem and your surgeon's preferred technique. Finally, the skin is redraped over the new framework.

Many plastic surgeons perform rhinoplasty from within the nose, making their incision inside the nostrils. Others prefer an open procedure, especially in more complicated cases; they make a small incision across the columella, the vertical strip of tissue separating the nostrils.

When the surgery is complete, a splint will be applied to help your nose maintain its new shape. Nasal packs or soft plastic splints also may be placed in your nostrils to stabilize the septum, the dividing wall between the air passages.

The procedure usually takes two to four hours.

Recovery

After surgery -- particularly during the first twenty-four hours -- your face will feel puffy, your nose may ache, and you may have a dull headache.

Plan on staying in bed with your head elevated (except for going to the bathroom) for the first day.

You’ll notice that the swelling and bruising around your eyes will increase at first, reaching a peak after two or three days. Most bruising will be gone within two weeks.

Most rhinoplasty patients are up and about within two days, and able to return to school or sedentary work a week or so following surgery.

Risks

Problems breathing through the nose, asymmetries or minor deformities requiring revision, and scarring are all possible risks.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Hollenbeck, Scott T.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery
• Marcus, Jeffrey R.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery
  • Pediatrics / Pediatrics-Chairman Office
• Woodard, Charles R.
  • Surgery / Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
• Zenn, Michael R.
  • Surgery / Plastic Max & Oral Surgery

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Aesthetic Center
  3475 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27705