Q: Do all surgeons put splints into a nose after rhinoplasty that consisted of breaking bones, removing a bump from the top of the nose, making the nose narrower, and straighten the nose? Why would you and why would you not put splints and/or packing after rhinoplasty? I see that some people don’t get packing but a lot have splints after rhinoplasty. I would like to understand the benefit and reasons why some surgeons put them in while others don’t.
A: Surgeons typically will use splints or packing whenever work is done on the septum. If no work is done on the septum, then neither of those two things is necessary. The benefit is the same benefit as the splint or cast that goes on the top of your nose after rhinoplasty – it limits the amount of swelling and it provides some support to the septum as it is healing. The question of packing vs. splints relates more to the surgeon’s personal preference.
