Nasal packing is a common healing technique used during rhinoplasty recovery. In the first few days following your nose job procedure, your nasal tissue will be particularly delicate. The exposed tissue is raw, the cartilage is reformed, and stitches are still in place.
Your surgeon uses nasal packs to support this initial healing period. Usually, nasal packing stays in place for the first 48 hours, before being removed by your surgeon. You may wonder if there is a difference in nasal packing based on whether you had a rhinoplasty or septoplasty.
Keep reading to learn more about nasal packing and how it’s used for different purposes during recovery from your nose job procedure.
Nasal Packing for Septoplasty
Septoplasty is reconstructive surgery for people with a deviated septum. The septum is a small piece of cartilage that divides the nasal cavity into two separate sides – right and left. The term deviated septum describes a septum that is slightly displaced to one side.
Bleeding is expected and unavoidable after a septoplasty. Your surgeon has to physically reposition the cartilage in the nose to straighten it. In some cases, this involves removing pieces of the septum and reinserting them in the correct position.
Nasal packing for septoplasty is typically used to prevent the occurrence of septal hematomas and prevent postoperative hemorrhage. It applies direct pressure to the tissues that have been manipulated during your septoplasty. The pressure from the packing reduces swelling and initiates essential blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding after surgery.
Cartilage is the primary supporter of the bottom two-thirds of the nose (the top third is supported by bone). Since the surgeon manipulates the cartilage of the nose during a septoplasty, nasal packing also provides additional support while your nose heals.
Nasal Packing for Rhinoplasty
Rhinoplasty is more commonly referred to as a nose job and may encompass a variety of changes to the shape and appearance of the nose.
You may choose to have rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons or functional ones. Some issues that might be addressed during rhinoplasty include a drooping nasal tip, overlarge nostrils, a nasal hump, an overly large or small nose, birth defects, or breathing problems related to an injury. A septoplasty may take place during a traditional rhinoplasty in addition to other cosmetic alterations.
Depending on your goals for the procedure, your doctor may need to manipulate the whole nose or only a small part. The use of nasal packing will most likely depend on the specifics of your procedure since the gauze is primarily used to reduce bleeding and swelling during rhinoplasty recovery.
In an open rhinoplasty, the surgeon makes a small Z-shaped incision in the underside of the nose; in a closed procedure, the incisions will be inside the nostrils. In both cases, the nasal packing will apply pressure to the areas that have been manipulated. This will reduce postoperative swelling and bleeding.
For more intensive rhinoplasties, where the whole of the nose has to be reconstructed, nasal packing may be used to support the nose while you recover. However, for minimally invasive procedures like those used to change the size of the nostrils or shape the tip of the nose, you may not need nasal packing at all.
Is There a Difference?
The primary difference between nasal packing for septoplasty and rhinoplasty is in the severity of the procedures. Since septoplasty involves reconstructing the support structures of the nose, nasal packing will almost always provide valuable support during healing.
Rhinoplasty doesn’t always involve a complete recreation and manipulation of the nasal structures. Therefore, nasal packing might not be necessary to assist in post-operative healing for less invasive procedures.
For septoplasty and rhinoplasty surgeries that involve significant changes to the cartilage and bone, nasal packing applies pressure to the wounds reducing bleeding and swelling.
If used, the shape of the nasal packing will be the same. The gauze is long and cylindrical with a string attached for removal.
The surgeon will insert the packing directly following your procedure, sometimes accompanied by a nasal drip pad to catch any excess fluids or blood that appear in the days following your surgery. After two days, your surgeon will remove the packing.
The reality is that the use of nasal packing is decided on a case-by-case basis. Your surgeon will weigh the benefits and the risks for your individual recovery and decide if nasal packing will do more harm than good.
If you’re concerned about nasal packing or any of the other aspects of your upcoming nose job, schedule a consultation so you can address all of your concerns with your plastic surgeon prior to your procedure.
Nasal Packing Alternatives
The effectiveness of nasal packing is an increasingly prevalent topic in plastic surgery. The primary reason why some surgeons and patients decide to avoid packing is that it causes significant pain during removal.
Some studies have proven that nasal packing isn’t necessary after septoplasty. Instead quilting sutures were used after septoplasty, pinning the skin to the underlying muscle while the wounds and cartilage heal.
In some cases, these nasal septal sutures appeared to be more effective than nasal packing. The same sutures could provide support after more invasive rhinoplasty procedures as well.
However, in cases where the surgery will cause significant bleeding and swelling, nasal packing is still a useful recovery tool.
Schedule a Consultation Today!
Dr. Becker is a rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty specialist in Central and Southern New Jersey. His years as a board-certified plastic surgeon provide him with the experience and knowledge to give you the rhinoplasty results you desire. Call to schedule a consultation to learn more about nasal packing and the role it might play in your rhinoplasty surgery.
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