Cosmetic rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is safe, relatively painless and, if patients are carefully selected, quite successful. Psychological and personal benefits amply justify the procedure. Frequent indications are feelings of social rejection or ridicule and racial discrimination. Psychoneurotic patients with severe complexes, however, are poor subjects for rhinoplasty and should not be operated upon. It is doubtful that rhinoplasty grossly changes the physiologic integrity of the nose. Psychological trauma to the patient during hospitalization is to be avoided, sedation properly gauged for each patient, and complete block anesthesia used to preserve the cough reflex. The operation is brief and a small splint is worn for a few days. Complications are rare.