Medical: 3 D Nose job

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure used to change the shape and/or size of the nose. According to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, it’s the 4th most common cosmetic surgical procedure in this country. Last year, more than 152,430 rhinoplasties were done in the U.S. More than 80 percent of patients are women. The average cost of a rhinoplasty is roughly $4,370.

As with other types of surgery, rhinoplasty carries a risk of infection, bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and post-operative pain and swelling. Noticeable swelling can last for several weeks. Scar tissue that forms can impact the final appearance.

When the final appearance isn’t what a patient expects, he/she may see another plastic surgeon for a second procedure or revision. Dr. Sam Rizk,New York City Facial Plastic Surgeon, says some plastic surgeons don’t take into account the overall look a procedure will have on the patient’s face. He works with patients to attain balance and harmony with other facial structures, like the chin.

After discussing the patient’s concerns and cosmetic desires, he takes a digital picture of the patient’s face. The pictures help patients see what their face looks like from all angles. Then Rizk discusses various ways to improve the looks, providing information to enable the patient to make an informed decision on which treatments to choose.

Rizk says in traditional rhinoplasty, surgeons often work from inside the nose to reduce visible scarring. Lighted endoscopes provide a view of the interior so a surgeon can see as he/she manipulates instruments and files or reshapes cartilage or bone. But delicate blood vessels and muscles can be inadvertently damaged. This increases the risk for bleeding and swelling.

During his surgeries, Rizk uses a high definition telescope attached to a 3D high definition camera. The images are projected onto a large screen TV, providing a clearer view of the structures inside the nose from all angles. Thus, he can work to avoid damaging blood vessels and muscles.

Another tool he uses is tissue glue in place of packing material. He says traditional packing material can create more pain and swelling after surgery. Instead, the tissue glue seals the injured tissues, limits bleeding and reduces swelling. Generally, patients recover in about five days (versus two weeks for traditional techniques). The glue is naturally absorbed within a week, so there’s no need to disrupt healing when removing material from the nose.

Rizk says the 3D high definition technique has been used in other types of surgery for many years. He claims to be the first to use it for rhinoplasty. Rizk also uses the procedures and tissue glue for other types of cosmetic procedures, like face lifts and neck lifts.