Can Nasal Collapse Occur After Rhinoplasty?

Nasal collapse after nose surgery is a rare but possible complication. It may generally develop due to excessive tissue removal or insufficient cartilage support.

Collapse may cause deformity in the nasal bridge or tip. It may also narrow the airway inside the nose and lead to breathing problems.

Preserving cartilage support during surgical planning is important for preventing this complication. When necessary, the structure is reinforced with graft applications.

When nasal collapse develops, aesthetic and functional correction can be performed with revision rhinoplasty. This intervention restores the shape of the nose and breathing functions.

What Is Nasal Collapse?

Nasal collapse is a condition triggered by various factors and develops as a result of a gap forming between the nasal root and the nasal tip. As an important aesthetic element of the human face, the nose is structurally supported by bones and cartilage. Weakening or damage to these supporting structures causes the nasal structure to flatten and appear collapsed.

Causes include:

• Physical trauma
• Surgical interventions
• Congenital anomalies
• The aging process

Due to these causes, the nasal structure may deteriorate and nasal collapse may occur. While nasal collapse generally causes aesthetic concerns, it may also make breathing difficult in some cases. Collapse resulting particularly from physical damage is also commonly referred to as a “boxer’s nose.” Various medical interventions and aesthetic procedures may be required to correct this condition.

Does Collapse Occur After Every Nose Surgery?

Collapse after nose surgery may vary among patients and does not occur in every case. Collapse generally depends on the accuracy of the interventions performed during surgery. In particular, the surgeon’s experience and the techniques applied greatly affect the success of the result. Surgical errors, such as providing insufficient support or excessively correcting the cartilage structures, may lead to unwanted changes in the nasal structure.

Important points for a successful result include:

• The surgeon’s area of expertise and experience
• The suitability of the techniques used for the patient’s needs
• Timely postoperative follow-up and corrective interventions

Each of these factors can significantly affect the outcome of the surgery and minimize the risk of collapse. Patients should consider these criteria when choosing a surgeon and undergo a detailed preliminary evaluation process. As a result, collapse that may occur after rhinoplasty is a preventable condition, and the risk can be reduced with correct practices.

Risk of Collapse After Nose Surgery

Although nose surgeries are performed for various reasons, they may sometimes produce unexpected results. Nasal tip collapse is one of these complications and generally results from a reduction in the supporting structure after surgery. Unwanted changes in the nasal structure may occur particularly after deviation surgeries. This condition is related to the correction of cartilage and bone structures during the operation.

• Failure to add sufficient cartilage to the surgical area
• Insufficient structural support during correction procedures
• Incorrect application of surgical techniques

These factors may cause the nasal tip to collapse over time. Therefore, the experience of the rhinoplasty surgeon plays a critical role in preventing such problems. Effective surgical intervention and appropriate supportive measures afterward can prevent such negative outcomes. Open communication between patients and their doctors before and after the operation helps manage expectations correctly

What Is Nasal Valve Collapse?

Nasal valve collapse is an important problem affecting the nasal structure and may cause breathing difficulties. In particular, reduced flexibility of the sides of the nose leads to this condition. The nasal valves, which are the narrowest part of the airway, become even narrower with collapse. As a result, normal breathing function is impaired. This problem has a dynamic nature because:

• When the flexibility of the nasal valve decreases,
• The sides of the nose collapse inward during normal breathing.

As a result, nasal valve collapse is a condition that makes breathing difficult and is often a complication that requires treatment. This complication becomes especially noticeable during deep breathing and may reduce the person’s quality of life.

What Are the Causes of Nasal Collapse?

Nasal collapse may occur for aesthetic or traumatic reasons. Incorrect practices during surgical procedures may lead to this problem. In particular, excessive correction of the cartilage and bone structures causes nasal collapse. This type of collapse is generally seen as a result of improper interventions performed by surgeons. Excessive thinning of the nasal bridge is a typical example. In addition, traumatic causes may also lead to nasal collapse:

• Strong impacts may cause fractures in the nasal bridge.
• Accidents or injuries may directly damage the nasal structure.

As a result, nasal collapse can be examined in two main categories: surgical errors and physical trauma. In both cases, the supportive features of the nasal structure weaken, and functional problems may sometimes occur along with aesthetic concerns. The surgeon’s experience and the techniques applied are of great importance in preventing such complications.

How Is Nasal Collapse Recognized?

Signs of collapse after nose surgery may vary depending on the affected region. First, a depression may be observed on the nasal bridge, causing an uneven nasal profile. Second, collapse occurring along the sides of the nose causes the nasal valves to deviate from their normal position. A third indicator is reduced support of the nasal tip. This reduction causes the nasal tip to move more than normal. In addition, shortening of the vertical nasal tip length is another sign of nasal tip collapse. These conditions may bring functional problems along with aesthetic concerns.

How Is Nasal Collapse Corrected?

Functional and aesthetic improvements are targeted in nasal collapse surgeries. Surgical intervention uses various methods to support the nasal structure and restore an appearance close to its original form. Natural materials obtained from the body are generally preferred during the procedure, reducing the risk of foreign-body rejection. The materials used to correct collapse include:

• Cartilage obtained from the ribs
• Cartilage obtained from the auricle
• Cartilage obtained from a cadaver
• Titanium-based materials
• Silicone-based materials

The selected material is determined according to the patient’s condition and the doctor’s preference. The precautions the patient should observe during the postoperative period are explained in detail by the doctor who performs the operation. This information is of great importance for optimizing the patient’s recovery process and minimizing possible complications. The success of the surgery is closely related to selecting the correct material and applying appropriate surgical techniques.

Prof. Dr. Murat Songu

Prof. Dr. Murat Songu – Burun Estetiği (Rinoplasti) Uzmanı

Prof. Dr. Murat Songu, 1976 yılında İzmir’de doğmuş, tıp eğitimini Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi’nde tamamladıktan sonra Celal Bayar Üniversitesi Kulak Burun Boğaz Anabilim Dalı’nda uzmanlık eğitimini tamamlamıştır. 2005–2006 yıllarında Fransa’nın Bordeaux kentinde Prof. Vincent Darrouzet ve Dr. Guy Lacher gibi rinoloji alanının önde gelen cerrahlarıyla çalışarak rinoplasti, fonksiyonel burun cerrahisi ve kafa tabanı cerrahisi üzerine ileri eğitim almıştır.

Burun estetiğinde doğal görünüm, nefes fonksiyonunun korunması ve yüz estetiği dengesini ön planda tutan Prof. Dr. Songu, açık teknik rinoplasti, piezo (ultrasonik) rinoplasti, revizyon rinoplasti, burun ucu estetiği ve fonksiyonel septorinoplasti operasyonlarında ulusal ve uluslararası düzeyde tanınan bir cerrahtır. Yurt içi ve yurt dışında çok sayıda rinoplasti kongresinde eğitici ve konuşmacı olarak yer almış; yüz estetiği ve burun cerrahisinde modern tekniklerin yaygınlaşmasına öncülük etmiştir.

100’den fazla bilimsel yayını, kitap bölümü yazarlıkları ve 1700’ü aşkın uluslararası atfıyla rinoplasti alanında Türkiye’nin en saygın akademisyenlerinden biri olan Prof. Dr. Murat Songu, doğal, yüzle uyumlu ve fonksiyonel sonuçlar hedefleyen cerrahi yaklaşımıyla hem bilimsel hem estetik başarıları bir araya getirmektedir.