After surgical procedures for nasal aesthetics, certain medical tools and equipment are used to ensure a healthy recovery process. These items are essential for reducing the side effects of surgery and providing comfort to the patient. Products known as nasal splints and nasal packing have different functions. They can be used to shape the nose, reduce swelling, and remove excess blood from the nasal area. With the nostril retainer feature, they help in better shaping the nose. You can check out our content to learn more about the nasal tampons you will use after nose surgery.
What Is a Nasal Splint?
Following nose aesthetics and surgical interventions, some equipment is used to shape and stabilize the nose. These medical products, often made of plastic or silicone, are called nasal splints. Some are designed to shape the interior of the nose, while others work on the external part. The type of surgical intervention will determine the specific use of these splints.
What Are the Types of Nasal Splints?
The types of nasal splints vary according to their use, material, and function. Each type serves various purposes during its period of use. For example, nasal splints help prevent swelling and edema while slowing down blood flow through compression. This supports the healing process after surgery.
Nasal splints are ideal for protecting, shaping, and supporting the nose and are commonly used in rhinoplasty, septoplasty, sinus surgeries, and nasal fractures. While some are made of silicone and plastic, others may be made from aluminum or Teflon.
External Nasal Splints
One of the most frequently used types in nasal aesthetics is external nasal splints. They help to shape and stabilize the nose effectively. Additionally, they regulate blood flow and function to keep the nose upright.
After rhinoplasty, an external nasal splint is placed over the nasal bandage. Based on the surgical procedure and the patient’s condition, a bandage may also be applied over the splint on the nose to ensure a firm hold and prevent increased swelling.
The success of rhinoplasty and nasal aesthetic procedures is not solely determined by the surgery itself. Post-surgery, it is essential to maintain the nose’s form to ensure it aligns well with the face. External nasal splints help in preventing tissue swelling and securing the nose’s shape.
Internal nasal structures, like grafts and nasal bones, can shift post-surgery, causing various issues. Nasal splints hold the internal nasal bones and grafts together, so using high-quality external nasal splints is crucial.
Internal Nasal Splints
If internal nasal splints are chosen after surgery, they are used to shape the cartilage and bones inside the nose as a whole. Therefore, internal nasal splints are sewn into the nostril, making it impossible to remove them until the stitches are removed. The primary difference from external nasal splints is that internal ones are secured with stitches, as medical tapes are insufficient for the moist and slippery nasal interior.
Made of soft, flexible tubes and stents, internal nasal splints are designed to minimize discomfort inside the nose. They prevent the formation of scars and adhesions within the nose following rhinoplasty.
What Are the Nasal Splint Advantages?
The different types of nasal splints used after rhinoplasty serve various purposes, all of which benefit the patient significantly after surgery. These advantages include:
- Stabilizing the nose and aiding the recovery of nasal bones.
- Preventing tissue formation within the nasal cavity.
- Reducing the risk of internal nasal adhesions.
- Minimizing scar formation within the nose.
- Helping to decrease and prevent swelling and edema.
- Reducing internal nasal bleeding.
- Allowing doctors to monitor the healing process more effectively.
- Ideal for shaping the nose after surgical intervention.
- Facilitating healthy and unobstructed breathing.
- Supporting the nose and nasal bones.
- Essential for nostril retainers.
What Are the Nasal Packing Disadvantages?
Although nasal packing is commonly used after nasal aesthetics, it is essential to consider its impact on the patient. While it supports the healing process positively, it can also cause discomfort. Having a material inside the nose can create pressure and pain and a feeling of fullness, which may limit breathing. However, these are temporary side effects, and the contribution nasal packing makes to preventing complications outweighs these disadvantages.
What Is Nasal Packing or Nose Tampon?
Another option to facilitate comfort and expedite healing after nose surgery is nasal packing. Known as nose tampons or nasal tampons, these products are designed to absorb blood within the nasal cavity. They act as a soft medical dressing, absorbing fluid and blood from within the nose.
When researching nasal packing, you will discover that it functions as a rhinoplasty tampon. Nasal packing is used solely within the nose to absorb fluids and blood, as well as to reduce moisture. Different materials are used to make nasal packing, and its use varies depending on the surgical procedure. Your doctor will determine the appropriate type based on the material used.
Silicone Nasal Tampons
Silicone nasal tampons are soft, flexible, and perforated. They are lightweight and designed not to cause discomfort, applying slight pressure to stop bleeding and accelerate the healing process. They prevent internal nasal adhesions.
Sponge Nasal Tampons
Sponge nasal tampons, as the name suggests, are made from sponge. This type of tampon helps control bleeding and provides comfort by absorbing excess blood that may accumulate in the nasal passages post-surgery. They should be used in conjunction with other tampons for comprehensive care.
Corrugated Nasal Tampons
Corrugated nasal tampons are used when there is significant blood flow, as they provide more effective compression and pressure. Inserted into the nostril and inflated, they exert pressure on the blood vessels to control bleeding, reduce excess blood flow, and minimize swelling.
Why Should Splints and Tampons Be Used?
Given that nasal aesthetics involve surgical intervention, there is a high risk of postoperative complications. Nasal splints and nasal tampons prevent worsening of the patient’s condition, slow down blood flow, and stop bleeding after surgery.
During surgeries like rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty, bleeding in the capillaries is common. Even after discharge, patients need to control bleeding, reduce swelling and edema, and prevent tissue formation within the nose to avoid scarring. Nasal splints and nasal tampons are essential for achieving these outcomes.
After surgery, nasal tampons are placed inside the nose and are typically removed 48 hours after rhinoplasty. In cases of severe bleeding, this period may extend to 72 hours.
What Are the Nasal Packing Advantages?
Doctors emphasize the use of nasal packing after surgery to control bleeding. Its numerous advantages make the temporary discomfort it causes insignificant, as it significantly contributes to the healing process. The advantages of nasal packing include:
- Prevention of internal nasal adhesions.
- Absorption of excess fluid and blood within the nose.
- Accelerating the healing process.
- Providing slight pressure to minimize swelling.
- Preventing tissue formation inside the nose post-surgery.
- Essential for nostril retainers.
What Are the Nasal Packing Disadvantages?
Even people with healthy noses dislike having foreign material inside, as it can cause discomfort and a sense of blockage. After surgery, this discomfort may intensify, with the patient experiencing pressure and volume from the nasal packing. However, pain from the pressure can be alleviated with painkillers, and these effects are temporary.
What Happens If Splints and Tampons Are Not Used?
The inner nasal cavity is filled with delicate capillaries, making it susceptible to changes in moisture and the formation of sores, which can be bothersome. After rhinoplasty and other nasal aesthetic surgeries, splints and tampons are necessary to maintain the nose’s structure. Without their use:
- Nasal capillary bleeding may increase.
- Swelling may become more severe.
- Tissue and edema may form inside the nose.
- Adhesions inside the nose may occur.
- Sores may form within the nasal cavity.
- Even minor pressure could lead to increased bleeding.
- It may become difficult to support and shape the nose, resulting in drooping.
- Breathing difficulties may arise.
- The surgical outcome may not be achieved as desired.
When Is Nasal Packing Removed After Rhinoplasty?
The duration for which nasal packing remains depends on the extent of the surgery and any specific conditions related to the patient. Generally, nasal packing stays in place for about 24 to 48 hours after rhinoplasty. In cases with extreme conditions or patient-specific needs, this period may extend to 72 hours.
What Should Be Considered When Removing Splints and Nasal Tampons?
Only your doctor should decide when to remove the splint or nasal tampon. During an examination, your doctor will check the inside of your nose. If they determine it needs to remain longer, they may leave it in place. If the process is going smoothly, they will apply minimal force and quickly remove it.
When Is the Splint Removed After Rhinoplasty?
Before removing the splint, the doctor will examine the patient. If the splint is no longer needed, it will be removed swiftly and easily. The splint, secured with stitches inside the nose, will be taken out when the stitches are removed, usually around one to two weeks post-surgery, depending on the patient’s condition.
Is Nasal Tampon Removal Painful?
Contrary to popular belief, removing nasal tampons is not painful. Since nasal tampons do not adhere to the nose, they can be removed without causing discomfort. Silicone nasal tampons may cause slight discomfort during removal, but this is brief and manageable.
How to Clean the Nose After Removing Tampons and Splints?
After removing tampons or splints, proper nasal hygiene is important. Even though the fluid and blood inside the nose are absorbed, nasal serum should be used to ensure internal cleanliness. Using a clean, sterile syringe, nasal serum is introduced into the nasal cavity four to five times to prevent the formation of dried blood.
Is It Possible to Breathe When a Nasal Tampon and Splint Are Used?
Although nasal tampons and splints placed by the doctor occupy some space, they do not completely obstruct breathing. The quality of the nasal tampon or splint can either facilitate or hinder breathing. Using silicone nasal tampons, in particular, can make breathing easier. Nasal splints typically do not impede breathing as much as nasal tampons.
If you have any questions about nose surgery, you can contact the expert team at FaceAesthetics for further information.
FAQ
The tampon does not hurt if you do not increase the pressure inside the nose or if you do not hit your nose. It does not hurt because you cannot prevent sneezing and sneezing occurs in the natural flow of the body.
The intranasal sprays given by the doctor after rhinoplasty prevent the nasal tampon from blocking. If there is intense blood leakage in the nose or if you do not use intranasal sprays, the nasal tampon can become blocked.
The use of tampons after rhinoplasty affects your sleep quality and breathing. Silicone nasal tampons should be used to prevent sleep problems after surgery. Since the holes in the middle of the silicone tampon will facilitate your breathing, it also reduces sleep problems.
You may feel a little uncomfortable as it will cause a feeling of fullness in the nose and take up volume. However, they do not cause pain or pain while in your nose. On the contrary, they prevent nasal adhesion and deformed shaping of the nose.
After rhinoplasty, you should avoid procedures that will accelerate the blood flow in the nose and cause compression until your doctor gives permission. Nasal massage is recommended to relax the nose and disperse the oedema. There is no harm in massage after the splint and nasal tampon are removed. It accelerates healing when done at the appropriate time.
Melting nasal tampon usage areas are simpler medical interventions. Since the procedure is simple, fusible tampons are preferred. There is no need to remove the dissolvable tampons from the nose.
The purpose of the nasal tampon is to slow down the blood flow through compression and fullness and at the same time absorb the blood in the nose. Therefore, nasal tampon cleaning is not recommended. However, intranasal sprays and creams are used to prevent blockage. A partial cleaning is done with the help of cream and spray.
The nasal splint may come off spontaneously when the swelling subsides or for various reasons. You should stay calm and do not try to insert the nasal splint. You should contact your doctor and ask him or her to do the insertion. When you place the nasal splint yourself, you may not find the correct position. This will lead to incorrect shaping of the nose.
