Nose surgery (rhinoplasty) without external immobilization and without internal packing: a review of 812 cases.

In a review of 812 cases of rhinoplasty, none of our patients had early bone or septal displacement; swelling, bruising, and pain were almost nonexistent. This confirms that an external splint would not have been of any benefit in these cases. Packing should help prevent epistaxis, synechiae, and early bone and septal displacement. Not using any packing, we have not encountered these complications. Besides, we have not seen a single submucosal hematoma or a septal necrosis. Therefore, we doubt the value of packing in our patients. The inconveniences and complications of external splints and internal packing are described. Early postoperative photographs show the reduced swelling and bruising, and late photographs show the final results. Difficult primary and secondary rhinoplasty cases are demonstrated.