Nose surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. General anesthesia is typically used to ensure patient safety and comfort. Small incisions, either on the outer base of the nose between the nostrils (open technique) or inside the nasal cavity (closed technique) are used to access the underlying nasal structures. The skin that covers the nasal bones and cartilage will be raised. This allows access to the structure of the nose. The addition of cartilage grafts (using cartilage from the septum, ear, or rib) may be necessary. An overly large nose can be reduced by removing bone or cartilage.
A deviated septum can be straightened, and projections inside the nose can be reduced to improve breathing. Once the underlying structure of the nose is sculpted to the desired shape, the nasal skin and tissue are redraped, and the incisions are closed.