How is cleft rhinoplasty different from any other type of rhinoplasty?

In people with cleft nose deformity there are multiple problems:-

• There is severe deviated nasal septum with blockage of the airway passage. In these cases there could turbinate hypertrophy as well.

• There is flattening of the lower part of the nose with weak cartilages which cannot provide enough support.

• The columellar or the small bridge of skin on the lower part of nose is short in length. Because of this there is difficulty in increasing the projection of the nose.

• The skin of the lower part of nose has a tendency to go back to it's before surgery flattened shape. That is why after the rhinoplasty we advise our patients to use a nose stent for a few weeks.

 

 Why is rib cartilage almost always required for cleft rhinoplasty?

In cleft nose the nasal septum is usually very curved or bent. It doesn't provide enough graft to straighten and support the nose. The lower nose cartilages called as the lower lateral cartilages are invariably deformed and week. They might require complete reconstruction. For such advanced surgeries where we need a lot cartilage grafts it is always better to harvest rib graft as it leads to the best outcomes.

 

When is the ideal time for a cleft rhinoplasty in India?

The shape and size of the nose keeps growing with the bony development of puberty. By the age of 16 years in girls and 18 years in boys the bony growth is completed. Ideally any rhinoplasty or nosejob surgery should be performed after this age. Otherwise the surgery can result in distortion of bony development, the results of rhinoplasty may be temporary and will change as the bone underneath grows. In most cases some of the structural issues of nose can be addressed during the cleft lip surgery. However, it is important to understand that as the face grows in size significant asymmetry of the nose persist and breathing difficulties are also present which would require correction after complete facial growth.

 

Can cleft rhinoplasty be covered under health insurance?

Though most health insurance companies do not cover external congenital anomalies but, in cases of cleft nose deformity where there is severe breathing difficulty a septorhinoplasty maybe covered under your policy.

 

How long is the recovery period?

Like any other rhinoplasty surgery the nasal packs, outer nasal splint and stitches are removed within 7 days.  But, in cases of cleft nose correction after the surgery we advise our patients to use a night time splint in the nostrils. This helps in maintaining the shape of the nose and correcting any minor asymmetry in the sof triangle of the nose.