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AMAZING TRANSFORMATIONS
(From Northwest Community Hospital Newsletter 2005)
Nasal Surgery With Results That Last A Lifetime

YOUR NOSE
It is the most defining feature of your face. Its shape and size can have a tremendous impact on your confidence and self-image – even on your health.

According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery, each year a half million people seek consultation with facial plastic surgeons about rhinoplasty, or cosmetic surgery, to reshape or repair the nose. Many undergo rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons while others have the procedure done to simultaneously correct a breathing problem or repair a birth defect or injury. Rhinoplasty is suitable for most ages, from teens to people in their 60s.

“The perception is that it’s only for appearance, but I would say it is done to simultaneously improve breathing for half of the patients nationwide,” says Lawrence Martin, MD, FACS, board certified Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon.

Rhinoplasty has been around for decades, but today’s surgeries produce much better results due to:

• More thorough doctor/patient consultations.
  
• Better diagnostic capabilities.
  
• Advances in surgical techniques.
  

Getting the right doctor is very important, too. And at Northwest Community Hospital, specialists such as Dr. Martin have the experience and surgical skills to improve the look and function of the nose.

RESULTS THAT LAST
Thirty years ago, most rhinoplasties focused on reducing the size of the nose by removing cartilage and bone. Many good, early results later developed deformities and breathing problems. Today it is a much more meticulous procedure that not only reshapes the nose but reinforces its new shape so the results can last a lifetime, even for young people who have surgery.

Traditionally, surgeons have used a closed (or endonasal) approach for rhinoplasty, in which the surgery is performed through the nostril. Now in many cases, specially trained surgeons, such as Dr. Martin, employ what is called an open (or external) approach, involving a small incision on the skin between the nostrils. “The biggest advancement in rhinoplasty is the use of the external approach to lift up the skin and look at the anatomy to operate on both sides at once to achieve symmetry,” Dr. Martin says.

The surgeon then fortifies the reshaped nose with cartilage sutures – and the patient’s own cartilage when necessary – so the results will last. Reinforcing the tissues and structure of the nose during the procedure is crucial to avoiding problems later.

Recovery is rapid even with the open approach, and discomfort is minimized with only an overnight internal dressing.

Throughout Dr. Martin's nearly 30 years of performing rhinoplasty, he has witnessed countless amazing transformations in the confidence and mental well-being of his patients.

“The improvement I see in their confidence is remarkable, especially in younger patients,” he says.

Most facial plastic surgeries are performed at Northwest Community Hospital’s Day Surgery Center, which has recently been expanded and remodeled. “It’s top-notch care with all board certified anesthesiologists,” Dr. Martin says. “It’s a very comfortable environment.”