Am I a candidate for nasal reconstruction
Nasal reconstruction is a procedure similar to a rhinoplasty with the focus on reconstructing the nasal function, as well as establishing good aesthetics. Reconstruction is considered:
- After trauma including surgery, where the nose has lost its function or aesthetics looking deformed, because missing nasal tissues, or scar tissue causing nasal blockage
- Excessive use of recreational drugs such as cocaine, which results in a collapse of the nose because of the weakness in the midline partition (the septum) of the nose
- Following cancer surgery where a variable amount of nasal tissue is removed to treat cancer, often exposing the inner lining and resulting in considerable deformity as well as blockage
How is the operation done?
- The procedure often requires a general anaesthetic
- The surgeon would have assessed the extent of missing tissue and planned the surgical procedure
- Often cartilage is harvested from the ear, less commonly from the rib or external sources of cartilage such as irradiated rib
- The inner lining of the nose is sourced from the nose itself and less commonly, a skin graft may be used
- The external lining (the skin) is obtained either from the cheek or more commonly from the forehead by performing a forehead flap
- Complex procedures are often multi-stage operations carried out at two to three week intervals
