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Kids Health Information

Rhinoplasty

  • Pain control

    Give paracetamol as required for pain (available from pharmacies without prescription). Avoid aspirin.

    Activities

    Do not blow your nose for one week. Do not insert any objects in the nose, even for cleaning. Keep head elevated as much as possible. Avoid strenuous activities to prevent trauma to the nose.

    Scar management

    Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months. Always use a strong sunscreen if sun exposure is unavoidable.

    What to expect

    A small amount of bleeding is common during the first few days. Temporary swelling and bruising around the eyes and nose will increase at first and peak after two or three days. Most swelling and bruising should disappear within two weeks. Some subtle swelling will remain for several months. Because of the swelling there may be some discomfort with breathing and the nose may seem "stuffed up" for several weeks. Drink plenty of liquids and keep lips moist with vaseline, lip balm, etc. The nose will continue to improve in appearance for many months. Final results may not be seen for one year or more.

    Medical attention

    Seek medical attention in the event of:

    • Increasing pain or severe pain not relieved by medication
    • Persistent fever
    • General unwellness
    • Yellow or green wound discharge or increasing redness around the incision lines
    • Persistent or prolonged nose bleeding

    Follow-up

    Your follow-up appointment will be at one of the following:

    • Plastic Surgery Outpatients (Registrar Clinic), Blue Desk, Ground Floor, The Royal Children's Hospital (morning appointment)
    • Consultant Clinic 
    • Consultant Private Rooms 
    • Local doctor

    If you are unable to keep your appointment please call to reschedule.

    Contact

    Pru Talbot, Clinical Nurse coordinator - 9345 6595
    Plastic & Maxillofacial Surgery Office - 9345 6583
    Outpatient appointments - 9345 6180
    Plastic Surgery Resident or Registrar - via switchboard on 9345 5522


    Developed by The Royal Children's Hospital Speech Pathology and Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery departments. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed November 2015.

    Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit www.rchfoundation.org.au.


Disclaimer  

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.