Functional Rhinoplasty
Revision Rhinoplasty
Techniques to correct an unwanted outcome from a previous operation — cartilage grafting, valve reconstruction, asymmetry correction.
When is revision rhinoplasty performed and what is the success rate?
Revision rhinoplasty corrects post-primary functional issues (nasal obstruction, valve collapse) or aesthetic problems. Performed at least 12 months after the primary — the required time for full tissue healing and result assessment. Revision is technically harder than primary surgery: cartilage reserve is reduced, tissues are altered by scar, asymmetry and fibrosis are more prominent. Open technique is usually preferred; cartilage graft sources include remaining septum, auricular, or costal cartilage. Success rate 85–90%; full settling takes 12–18 months.
Challenges of revision
Clinical decision-making in revision differs from primary. The previous operative report (if available), pre/post photographs, and current nasal CT (if present) are studied in detail. Expectation management is in writing: the goal is not "restoring the original nose" but "improving the current state as much as possible".
Cartilage graft source: if septum was untouched in primary, reserve may exist. If insufficient, auricular cartilage (softer) or costal cartilage (firmer, more volume) is used. Costal graft adds a second surgical site for the patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Minimum 12 months. Oedema must subside, tissues fully heal, and the result must clarify. Early revision risks misreading transient oedema as permanent flaw.
- Medical outcomes cannot be guaranteed. With clinical experience + academic foundation, 85–90% patient satisfaction is predictable. Expectation management is in writing.
- 30–50% more than primary, depending on complexity and graft needs. Written pricing shared after the tele-consultation.
- A 2–3 cm subcostal incision. The scar fades to a thin line in 6–12 months. Less visible under chest hair in men.
- Rare; in 10–15% of cases, a minor refinement (e.g., small asymmetry, filler injection) suffices. A full second revision is uncommon.
References
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