Rhinoplasty (Nose Surgery) Risks

Reviewed by Yael Halaas, MD

All surgeries have risks, and rhinoplasty is no exception. Risks are minimized when you choose a qualified facial plastic surgeon to perform your rhinoplasty, and follow his or her instructions carefully.

Rhinoplasty risks may include:

• Anesthesia reactions
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Breathing issues (nasal obstruction)
• Sinusitis (Infection of the sinus cavities can occur within weeks of rhinoplasty and is usually related to internal swelling.)
• Graft or implant migration (if used during your rhinoplasty)
• Dissatisfaction with cosmetic results
• Revision rhinoplasty
• Septal perforation (a small hole in the septum, causing a whistle during speech or song)
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). (A blood clot forms in a vein deep inside your body, blocking blood flow and causing swelling and pain. The clot may break free and move through the bloodstream.)
• Heart and lung complications
• Death

Your surgeon should review these risks with you before your rhinoplasty and put them in their proper perspective. Be truthful and upfront about your health history, including smoking status and drug use (prescribed, over-the-counter and recreational). Your surgeon and anesthesiologist need this information so that they can safeguard your health during your nose surgery. The good news is that while serious complications are possible with rhinoplasty, they are rare.

 

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