In the realm of plastic surgery, rhinoplasty stands as one of the most sought-after procedures, capable of transforming a person's appearance and improving their self-confidence. While traditional rhinoplasty techniques have long been effective, a newer approach has emerged, revolutionising the field: Preservation Rhinoplasty. This innovative surgical technique aims to preserve the natural structure and function of the nose, offering a host of benefits to patients seeking nasal refinement. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages of Preservation Rhinoplasty and why it is rapidly becoming a preferred technique.
Retaining Natural Appearance
One of the primary advantages of Preservation Rhinoplasty lies in its ability to retain the natural appearance of the nose. By preserving the existing nasal structures, such as bone and cartilage tissue, this technique ensures that the outcome looks harmonious and in line with the patient's facial features. Traditional rhinoplasty techniques are ablative in that large amounts of tissue are removed such as bone or cartilage. which may lead to certain types of long term deformity so that it does not maintain its shape over subsequent years. Preservation Rhinoplasty allows for more carefully performed enhancements since the bone and cartilage is preserved. For example rather than remove large amounts of cartilage it is reshaped with sutures. As far as the bone is concerned the bone is not rasped along the bridgeline. Instead it is lowered from below by dropping the base of the nose which means the smooth nature of the bridgeline in kept intact.
Improved Nasal Function
Preservation Rhinoplasty not only focuses on aesthetics but also places a strong emphasis on maintaining or improving nasal function. By preserving the natural structures of the nose, such as the various cartilages that form the breathing valves, this technique reduces the risk of post-operative breathing difficulties. Patients can benefit from an enhanced ability to breathe and increased overall comfort.
Reduced Risk of Complications
Another significant advantage of Preservation Rhinoplasty is the reduced risk of complications associated with the procedure. By working within the existing nasal framework, this technique avoids the need for extensive tissue dissection, resulting in less trauma to the surrounding tissues. Consequently, patients experience a lower risk of post-operative bleeding, swelling, and prolonged recovery periods, making Preservation Rhinoplasty an attractive choice for individuals seeking a faster and smoother healing process. There is also less risk of irregularities and overgrowth of tissue and scarring which can reduce the risk of certain types of revision procedures that may more commonly be required.
Shorter Recovery Time
Compared to traditional rhinoplasty techniques, Preservation Rhinoplasty offers a shorter recovery time. Since the procedure involves less disruption to the nasal structures, patients typically experience less swelling and bruising. Consequently, they can resume their daily activities sooner, resulting in a quicker return to work or social engagements. The reduced downtime associated with Preservation Rhinoplasty is particularly appealing to those with busy lifestyles or limited time for extended recovery periods. You will see in the video below that when the cast is removed there is very little or no bruising. The technique used by Mr Chana often does not involve elevating the skin on the bridge line since all the surgery is carried out from below even if a closed ( ‘scarless’) approach is used. In some cases a cast may not even be needed. Although post surgical recovery time and swelling is considerably reduced it is important to understand that it may still take up to a year for all the tissues to completely settle down before the final result is realised.
Long-Term Stability
Preservation Rhinoplasty aims for long-term stability by maintaining the integrity of the nasal structures. By preserving the natural framework, including cartilage and tissue, the risk of post-operative complications, such as nasal collapse or distortion, is significantly reduced since the overall support that these tissues provide is maintained.
This technique ensures that the results of the procedure endure over time, providing patients with lasting satisfaction and reducing the need for revision surgeries many years later.
Customisation and Personalisation
Every individual is unique, and Preservation Rhinoplasty acknowledges this by offering a high level of customisation and personalisation. By preserving the patient's existing nasal structures, the surgeon can sculpt the nose to create a result that suits the patient's specific desires and facial proportions. This level of customization ensures that the outcome is tailored to the individual, leading to a more satisfying and natural-looking result.
Preservation Rhinoplasty represents a remarkable advancement in the field of nasal surgery, offering a range of benefits that set it apart from traditional techniques.
However, not all noses may be suitable for a preservation rhinoplasty. If there is significant deviation, previous trauma, or if a revision rhinoplasty is needed a preservation rhinoplasty is not suitable. Also, certain types of extremely large and high dorsal humps are not suitable. A consultation is extremely important to assess suitability for this procedure. In many cases a hybrid approach may be used where the traditional steps of a rhinoplasty are combined with some form of partial preservation of tissue.
How is the surgery performed ?
The surgery is carried out under a general anaesthetic which means you are asleep during the procedure.
Usually the technique involves a scarless approach which means the procedure is performed totally internally. In many cases the technique used by Mr Chana does not even involve elevating the skin since the structures are altered in shape from below rather than from the surface under the skin. This is a minimal technique designed to reduce overall swelling and avoid disturbing large areas of the soft tissue.
In a proportion of patients an ‘open’ approach may be required which results in a scar which is hidden on the columella ( skin bridge between the nostrils). This is usually required in more complex types of surgery where there may be deformity of the tip, excessive deviations or following trauma.
The bone is not rasped but lowered from the base of the nose which is called a ‘pushdown’ technique. This means the whole bridgeline can be reduced without removal of bone or infractures of the nasal bones. Similarly the cartilages on the bridgeline are also lowered in continuity with the bone.
The tip cartilages are changed in shape by using sutures to shape and refine. A small piece of septal cartilage may be used to support the tip which aids the tip refinement process. Again any cartilage taken from the septum is reused for support in the tip which means there is no net loss in overall tissue which conforms to the principle of ‘preservation’ of tissue.
In the video below Mr Chana explains how preservation Rhinoplasty is performed:
What is the recovery ?
Since the surgery uses minimal dissection techniques you can go home the same day a few hours after the procedure. There is very little or no discomfort and usually no nasal packs are required when you go home. In some situations no nasal cast is required and only nasal tape to support the tissues.
There should be minimal swelling and bruising and by the time the dressings are removed one week later most post surgical swelling should have largely settled.
After 2 weeks you should be completely respectable in appearance with hardly any visibility that you have had surgery. Despite this it is important to avoid heavy exercise for 6 weeks.
The tissues continue to heal and settle after 6 weeks and at this point you may return to full activity. Over the next few months feeling and sensation will begin to return and more of the mild swelling will begin to subside. It can take up to a year for the final detail and refinement to show through. However, in many cases of preservation rhinoplasty patients benefit with earlier overall healing.
You can read more about preservation rhinoplasty on the main ‘Preservation Rhinoplasty’ and more information on rhinoplasty with before and after images can be viewed on Mr Chana’s Instagram and Tiktok pages.