Introduction
Hello! I am Dr. Chayoung Kang, Director of Noselab Rhinoplasty Clinic.
Today, we will discuss an early corrective surgery case. This patient underwent a corrective surgery at another hospital, but the deviation was not corrected, thus requiring an emergency corrective revision surgery at Noselab only 14 days later.
A premature correction surgery can be performed within 2 weeks, and if 2 weeks have passed, surgery is possible at least 3 months later. Fortunately, it had not been long since this patient had undergone surgery when they visited our clinic and were able to get surgery within only 14 days.
Early Corrective Surgery: An Overview
What is Early Corrective Surgery?
Early corrective surgery refers to a secondary operation conducted within 14 days of an initial surgery to address complications or unsatisfactory results from the first procedure. This is usually done when it’s clear that waiting for natural healing would not result in an acceptable outcome.
When is Early Corrective Surgery Necessary?
Early corrective surgery is considered when:
• The initial surgery results in significant deviation or asymmetry.
• There are immediate complications that cannot wait for standard healing time.
• The primary surgeon acknowledges potential long-term issues from the first surgery.
Surgical Plan for Early Correction
Assessment and Diagnosis
We planned to remove all the silicone and cartilage used in the surgery at the previous hospital and use self-rib cartilage instead to safely raise and correct the deviated nose. The surgery was planned predicting that nose tip cartilage had been tied up asymmetrically, leading to the nasal deviation. Considering that the swelling at the nose tip and the bridge had not yet subsided, and that scar tissue had begun to rapidly form around the nose tip cartilage, we planned a surgical method to minimize tissue damage.
Execution of the Plan
1. Removal of Previous Implants: Carefully extracting silicone and cartilage used in the first surgery.
2. Using Self-Rib Cartilage: Replacing the removed materials with the patient’s rib cartilage to ensure biocompatibility and reduce the risk of rejection.
3. Correcting Asymmetry: Reconstructing the nasal structure to address any deviations and asymmetries.
Before vs After Surgery
Visual Comparisons
Side View:
From the side view, we can observe that the starting point of the nose bridge was lowered, and the bumpy parts of the nasal dorsum were improved.
Oblique Angle:
Seen from the oblique angle, we can appreciate the different angle of the starting point and the nasal bridge.
Front View:
From the front, the lifted parts were improved, as well as the “C” shaped curvature.
Nose Tip:
The bluntness of the nose tip was improved, and since there was a lot of scar tissue, it was removed safely, considering that it could reappear once again.
After Surgery Photos
Photos after surgery include:
• 90-degree view
• 45-degree view
• Frontal view
• Nostrils immediately after surgery
General Review
Early corrective surgery is not a common surgery. This means that it is performed only when it is absolutely necessary. It is only considered when it is certain that the future results will not be good or when it is certain that the surgery was done incorrectly. It is not simply performed because the initial appearance of the surgery is not satisfactory. This patient decided after consulting with us because the doctor who performed the previous surgery acknowledged the complications and stated that it would be difficult to correct in the future.
We recommend receiving an accurate diagnosis within 14 days of surgery to see if early correction is truly necessary before deciding on surgery.
FAQs
What is the ideal timeframe for early corrective surgery?
The ideal timeframe for early corrective surgery is within 14 days after the initial procedure to address immediate issues.
What are the risks of early corrective surgery?
Risks include infection, additional scarring, and complications from repeated surgeries.
Why use self-rib cartilage in early corrective surgery?
Self-rib cartilage is used because it is biocompatible and reduces the risk of rejection compared to synthetic implants.
Can swelling affect the outcome of early corrective surgery?
Yes, swelling can affect visibility and outcomes, which is why careful planning and execution are critical.
Is early corrective surgery more complex than standard rhinoplasty?
Yes, early corrective surgery can be more complex due to the need to correct previous surgical errors and manage swelling and scar tissue.
What should patients expect during recovery from early corrective surgery?
Patients should expect a similar recovery period to initial rhinoplasty, with close monitoring to ensure proper healing.
Conclusion
Today, we learned about early correction surgery, which involves reoperation within 14 days after surgery. I hope this will be of great help to those who are considering early correction after surgery.
Dr. Chayoung Kang
Director of Noselab Clinic
