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By Mayo Clinic staffAs with any major surgery, rhinoplasty carries risks such as bleeding, infection and an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. Other possible risks specific to rhinoplasty include:
- Recurring nosebleeds
- Difficulty breathing through the nose
- Numbness in and around the nose
- Possibility of an uneven-looking nose
- Pain, discoloration or swelling that may persist
- Scarring
Talk to your doctor about how these risks apply to you.
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- Ramirez AL, et al. Rhinoplasty. In: Lalwani AK, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2833146. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
- Becker DG, et al. Reducing complications in rhinoplasty. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2006;39:475i.
- Nose surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/patients_consumers/procedures/Rhinoplasty.cfm. Accessed Dec. 10, 2008.
- Anesthesia and you. American Society of Anesthesiologists. http://www.asahq.org/patientEducation/anesandyou.htm. Accessed Dec. 15, 2008.