Rhinophyma surgery

English subtitled video

Play Video about Operación de rinofima

What is a rhinophyma surgery?

Rhinophyma is a disease that affects the skin on the nose as a result of an obtrusion of the sebaceous glands, that causes a progressive enlargement of the nasal skin with redness and the forming of cysts.

Predisposing factors: severe rosy skin, solar affectation, stress, infections and alcohol use.

It occurs most frequently in men between 50-70 years of age and is a chronic disease that cannot be cured if left untreated.

WHERE DO WE OPERATE?

At Clínica Sanza we rely on the Sagrat Cor Hospital, part of the Quirónsalud group, to perform our surgical procedures.
Its prestige, facilities, medical and healthcare staff, as well as its technology are a guarantee.

BARCELONA: A HEALTH HUB

Do you want to know why it is worth coming to Barcelona for plastic surgery and why so many people come from abroad?

WE ORGANIZE EVERYTHING FOR YOU

Your trip, your flight, your operation, your transfer and your hotel with our support agency. We work with the best travel agencies worldwide.

PATIENT PROFILE

People whose size nose is bigger, with redness and cysts, probably due to severe rosy skin.

This surgery can be done at any age, but severe rhinophyma is more frequent after the age of 50.

SURGERY PROCESS

This surgery consists in eliminating all the affected skin surgically with an electrical scalpel and leaving an occlusive cure (gauze) with a regenerating cream.

This cure will be left for the first 2 weeks and after that it will be changed depending on the healing process.

DURATION OF THE INTERVENTION

An 1,5-hour surgery

PROTOCOL

Preoperative

Evaluation of the area to determine the adequacy and technique of the treatment
Follow specific guidelines determined by the doctor
Analysis and tests on the cardiac and respiratory status

Anesthesia

It is normally done with sedation complemented with local anaesthesia in the area where the incisions are.

Hospitalization

Ambulatory, night at the hospital is not necessary

Postoperative

No stitches
Bandage in the area of surgery 1-2 weeks after
The patient must come every 2-3 days the first week to monitor the wound and putting the regenerating cream, and then patient will do it at home under medical instructions
Medication if needed
Mandatory check-ups after a few days, a few weeks and a few months, according to prescription

Convalescence

No minor activities during one week
Two weeks without lifting any weight
3 weeks later patient can exercise again progressively; after a month from surgery high performance sports

RESULTS

Reduction of the nose due to treatment of the hypertrophic skin
Regeneration of all the skin on the nasal area
Improvement of the profile

DIFFICULTY LEVEL

Medium surgery

RISK LEVEL

- Medium risk surgery
- Risks of the whole intervention: visible scar, alterations in the nasal flanks, irregularities
- Risks of any operation: haemorrhage, infection, altered healing

BEFORE/AFTER SURGERY PHOTOS

Whatever your case may be, do not hesitate in contacting us.

Clínica Sanza in Barcelona, Spain, quality service

Frequently asked questions about nose surgery (Rhinoplasty)

When will I see a definitive result after a Rhinoplasty?

There are many factors that influence, the type of surgery, the patient’s own characteristics, previous interventions, etc. In a general way in 15 to 21 days you can already see some approximate results, but usually is until the third month until the result is more or less definitive. However, the nose may undergo small changes for up to a year.

At what age can I have a Rhinoplasty?

It is not advisable to operate on any patient until they have completed their natural growth process. In girls this is usually given at 14 or 15 years old, in boys it is usually until 18, so in general terms we do not recommend carrying out this type of intervention until after adolescence.

Can nose deviation and shortness of breath be corrected in the same surgery?

Yes, it is very frequent to see patients who breathe badly because they have some degree of septal deviation that affects the correct flow of air inside the nose. Correcting this deviation or obstruction improves appearance and restores respiratory function. That is to say, we correct the aesthetic and functional part.

What type of anesthesia is used in Rhinoplasty?

It depends on the type of intervention we have to carry out. If it’s just the cartilage (tip of the nose) to be corrected, it can be perfectly done with local anesthesia and a small sedation. In cases in which we have to carry out corrections of the septum or osteothomies it is essential to perform it under general anesthesia.

Should I stay in the hospital after a Rhinoplasty?

The intervention itself does not require overnight, but we must distinguish whether we perform a simple (cartilage) or a complete (bone+cartilage) rhinoplasty. In the first case it is ambulatory and in the second case it may be necessary to spend 24 hours of hospitalization, specially due to the residual anaesthesia effects, more than because of the procedure itself.

Do I have to wear nasal plugs?

Nasal plugs are not always necessary, only when the nasal septum is modified. If required, they will be removed the day after surgery, or if you don’t bleed within 48 hours.

Do I have to wear a cast or splint after a rhinoplasty?

Not all nose interventions require the use of a cast or splint, only in cases of osteotomies, and it has to be used normally for one week. In other cases it is possible to use a support splint for one to 5 days, depending on the inflammation.

What exams do I need before performing a Rhinoplasty?

If we speak of a simple procedure with local anesthesia, only a complete analysis is required. In the case of more complex procedures under sedation or general anesthesia, though, we will add a chest x-ray and an electrocardiogram.

How long does the intervention last and what is it like?

1 or 2 hours approximately. Aesthetic rhinoplasty consists of modifying the shape of the nose through small incisions or openings that are made inside the nose, or at the base of it in such a way that there is no external scar or it is practically imperceptible.

When can I go back to work?

It depends on the surgery and the type of activity you do. In cases that do not involve more physical exercise can return to normal work after 3 days, but it should be noted that for this time there may still be inflammation and some bruising in the area of the nose and eyelids. Usually after 7-10 days there are no signs of the intervention and after one month intense physical exercise and sport can be carried out.

Does it hurt?

There is a legend that rhinoplasty, both simple and complete, is very painful, but that’s just not true. It doesn’t hurt a bit. Only if you touch the nose you’ll feel the pain, but generally there’s no need to take any painkillers.

If I don’t like it, can I rectify it?

Yes, of course you can. You must feel well with yourself. But it cannot be touched up until at least 6 months after the surgery.

Is it always the same shape, when it comes to nose surgery?

Not at all. Many years ago, it was the same procedure for all nose jobs, but nowadays you can choose the way you want it done.