The likely complications of rhinoplasty are approximately between 5 to 10 percent throughout the world, even if it is done by the most skilled and experienced surgeons.
Although these side effects are not general and not all of them may be seen in an individual, in this article we refer to six of them:
1. Reduced sense of smell:
Since most people who had rhinoplasty complain about their reduced sense of smell, we must note that rhinoplasty is done completely in a area where no nerves are present and has no interference with sense of smell, and this is a temporary rhinoplasty side effect and does not cause any damages to olfactory nerves.
The reduced sense of smell is generally due to the postoperative swelling. Since this swelling prevents the molecules from getting to olfactory nerve terminals, patients usually complain about their reduced sense of smell until the postoperative swelling disappears.
2. Bleeding:
Although the risk of bleeding after rhinoplasty is only 2%, patients with impaired blood clotting who take aspirin should stop taking it one week to 10 days before operation in order to prevent unusual bleeding during rhinoplasty.
3. Wheezing:
Wheezing occurs when nasal sidewalls have become very small and in this case patients complain about having a runny nose and wheezing. This side effect is not seen in noses with big nostrils. If narrowing of nostrils is due to a previous inappropriate operation, the surgeon will recommend a second operation for relieving the side effects caused by small nostrils. At this stage, he/she will cut some of the cartilage from the septum and transplants it in the highly narrow nostrils.
4. Asymmetrical nostrils:
Surgeons usually do exact measurements before operation, but some patients complain about asymmetrical nostrils after, that which may be a result of the post-operative swelling. The disappearance of swelling will correct this issue.
5. Adhesion:
If the postoperative infection is not cured with antibiotics, it may cause nasal adhesion. Washing the nasal cavity discharges prevents the accumulation of bacteria and infections.
6. Allergy:
The swelling of nasal mucosa after operation causes allergies in 10% of individuals.
The swelling caused by the manipulation of vessels makes the nasal passages narrow and small and consequently makes airflow difficult. That results in patients having to breathe through the mouth and their oral mucosa becomes dry. After the disappearance of postoperative swelling, the problems of breathing through the mouth will also go away.
