Nasal Packing After Rhinoplasty

Nasal packing is commonly used during rhinoplasty recovery. This article explains what nasal packing is, its role during recovery, the advantages and disadvantages of traditional packing methods, and how innovative techniques—like those at Berkeley Square Medical—can improve your recovery experience.

What is Nasal Packing?

Nasal packing refers to the insertion of sterile cotton gauze into both nostrils immediately after a rhinoplasty procedure. Its primary functions are to:

• Absorb bleeding: It soaks up blood and any solutions used during the surgery.
• Stabilise nasal tissues: The packing helps support the internal structures during the initial healing phase.

Although widely used, many patients find nasal packing to be one of the most uncomfortable aspects of their post-operative recovery.

Common Challenges with Nasal Packing

Patients who undergo rhinoplasty often report discomfort related to nasal packing due to the following reasons:

• Breathing Difficulty: Packing blocks the nasal passages, forcing patients to breathe through their mouths until the gauze is removed.
• Extended Use: Traditional protocols sometimes require the packing to remain in place for up to 7 days. Extended use can:
  • Increase discomfort and congestion.
  • Elevate the risk of infection.
  • Lead to a more painful removal process.
  • Increase the likelihood of blood clotting during recovery.

Disadvantages of Extended Nasal Packing

Leaving nasal packing in place for the full 7 days post-surgery can result in several drawbacks:

• Difficulty Breathing: Nasal obstruction forces mouth breathing, which can be uncomfortable and may affect sleep quality.
• Infection Risk: Prolonged presence of a foreign body in the nasal cavity may raise infection risks.
• Painful Removal: Removing packing after several days can be more painful due to tissue adherence and increased sensitivity.
• Potential Blood Clotting: Extended packing may contribute to blood clots as healing tissues form.

Advantages of Early Nasal Packing Removal

At Berkeley Square Medical, our approach to rhinoplasty minimises the disadvantages of nasal packing. Here’s how our method benefits your recovery:

Optimised Technique

• Local Anaesthesia Administration: Our surgeons administer local anaesthesia prior to nasal packing, ensuring that the process is pain-free.
• Under General Anaesthesia: Nasal packing is inserted while you are under general anaesthesia, so you do not experience any discomfort during the process.
• Timely Removal: Unlike traditional methods, our nasal packing is removed approximately 4 hours after surgery, while the local anaesthetic is still active.

Recovery Benefits

• Immediate Nasal Breathing: Early removal allows you to breathe through your nose right after discharge.
• Reduced Pain: Patients report a more comfortable and pain-free experience during post-operative assessments.
• Lower Risk of Complications: By minimising the time that the nasal passages are obstructed, we reduce risks associated with infection and blood clotting.
• Enhanced Healing: Gentle handling of nasal tissues during the procedure helps keep bleeding, bruising, and swelling to a minimum, contributing to a smoother overall recovery.

How Berkeley Square Medical Optimises Rhinoplasty Recovery

Our advanced nasal packing method is just one of the many reasons why patients choose Berkeley Square Medical for their rhinoplasty. Our approach includes:

• Expert Surgical Techniques: Our surgeons handle nasal tissues with exceptional care to minimise trauma.
• Personalised Recovery Plans: We tailor post-operative care to each patient’s needs, ensuring the best possible outcome.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Patients benefit from a modern hospital environment that supports efficient, safe, and comfortable recovery.

For those searching for the best rhinoplasty surgeon in London, our commitment to innovative techniques and patient comfort sets us apart.

For more information, visit our Rhinoplasty Page to speak to a member of our Rhinoplasty Team.

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Sanjay Rai

Sanjay is a Senior Clinical Member at Berkeley Square Medical carrying over a decade of experience. He has assisted over 1500 surgeries carried out at the hospital supporting patients both pre and post-surgery throughout their treatment journeys. This article was written with the contribution of Dr Taimur Shoaib, our Consultant Plastic Surgeon.

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