Revision Rhinoplasty: Evaluating the Patient and the Problem

Abstract

Revision rhinoplasty refers to the intricate endeavor in which a surgeon attempts to modify and correct a real or perceived surgical deformity. There are myriad etiologies for which revision rhinoplasty may be desired: aesthetic disfiguration, functional deficits, unrealistic expectations, or dissatisfaction due to miscommunication between the patient and the surgeon. From a surgical standpoint, these errors can occur from suboptimal technique, poor healing, misjudgment of the aesthetic deformity, postsurgical trauma, and unrecognized anatomic deformities during the surgery. The primary goal of revision rhinoplasty should be to correct the postsurgical deformity. Therefore, anatomical abnormalities should be considered and corrected to address functional deficits, but rectification of the aesthetic irregularity should be the ultimate objective. Communication between the patient and surgeon is essential to determine mutual and realistic goals of the surgery. This chapter serves to highlight common rhinoplasty complications and to provide a framework for the evaluation and correction of these deformities.