People have always viewed the nose as an important facial feature and have associated it with beauty, character, and even their place in society. The history of rhinoplasty begins with rudimentary rhinoplasty procedures traced as far back as 5000 years ago in ancient Egypt. According to Stanford Medicine, one of the first papers on rhinoplasty was published by John Orlando Roe, an otolaryngologist in Michigan, in 1887. This is considered to be the first documentation of a cosmetic rhinoplasty since he performed the procedure on a patient who was reluctant to leave his home because he dislike the appearance of his nose.
Today, rhinoplasty surgery is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures. It can correct, reconstruct, restore or improve your nose aesthetically. Surgeons can change the size, angle, and shape of the nose to make it more balanced with the other facial features.
The Development of Rhinoplasty
Initially, the reason for performing rhinoplasty was to reconstruct or even replace a nose that was lost due to illness (for example syphilis), accidents, or even punishment (in ancient cultures in Egypt, Pre-Colombian America, and India people’s noses would be cut off as punishment for moral sins). An important milestone in the history of rhinoplasty is the evidence that in the 6th century B.C. the Hindu Ayurvedic surgeon Susrata invented a rhinoplasty technique in which he used skin from the forehead to form a new nose.
How Rhinoplasty Took Began in the Western World
In 16th-century Europe, syphilis and war were the two “motivating factors” which initiated the development of rhinoplasty. In the late part of the century, Europe was dealing with a syphilis epidemic. For those unfortunate enough to contract this disease, in the advanced stage of the illness, their soft tissue, including their noses, began to decay. In order to reconstruct the nose, surgeons used skin from the upper arm to try to recreate something resembling a nose.
This donor tissue technique is also described in a medical text called The Surgery of Defects by Implantationsthe, written by the Italian surgeon Gaspare Tagliacozzi. His aim was to develop a rhinoplasty technique to reconstruct noses damaged as a result of war injuries. Similarly to the syphilis technique, he used skin from the bicep. Incredibly, this technique required the arm of the patient to be attached to the patient’s head for about three weeks to enable the donor tissue to attach itself to the nose while preserving the blood supply during the healing process. After the tissue became attached to the nose, the connection was severed and the patient’s arm was released. Following that, two more weeks were needed to finely shape the skin around the nose.
The Beginning of Cosmetic Rhinoplasty
Late 19th Century
As we mentioned, the first documented cosmetic rhinoplasty was performed in the late 19th century by Dr. John Orlando Roe. What made Roe’s technique unique was that it was the first time in the history of rhinoplasty that a rhinoplasty procedure was performed inside the nose. By doing so, he was able to eliminate external scarring.
First Half of the 20th Century
However, rhinoplasty began to advance rapidly in the early and middle of the 20th century with the development of modern anesthesia and the availability of antibiotics. In the 1950s, cosmetic rhinoplasty was performed more and more for cosmetic reasons. It was considered fashionable and a surgical procedure usually reserved for the wealthy and famous. It was one of the preferred cosmetic plastic surgeries for Hollywood stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Carmen Miranda, and Marilyn Monroe. Male stars such as Dean Martin and Burt Lancaster also chose rhinoplasty to improve their appearance.
Second Half of the 20th Century
Over the second half of the 20th century, the techniques and technology used to perform rhinoplasty procedures advanced rapidly and the cost became less prohibitive for the middle class. As a result, rhinoplasty became the most popular form of cosmetic plastic surgery. Any man or woman who was dissatisfied with the shape of their nose was able to visit a qualified facial plastic surgeon and have their nose reshaped in order to compliment their facial features and make them feel better about their appearance.
Rhinoplasty Today
Today, facial plastic surgeons still perform rhinoplasty procedures to reconstruct damaged or dysfunctional noses but the majority of rhinoplasties are cosmetic and are performed to enhance an individual’s appearance. There are also many rhinoplasty procedures. For example, if you are unhappy with your rhinoplasty procedure, you can consult with an experienced facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Denton who can perform revision rhinoplasty to correct your previous procedure.
Modern rhinoplasty procedures involve incisions to access the cartilage and bones in the nose which may be reshaped or removed. Fillers may also be added to acquire the desired shape. The procedure can be divided into “open” and “closed” techniques. In a closed rhinoplasty, all incisions are made on the inside of the nose whereas, in an open, the incision is made on the skin between the nostrils(columella). Dr. Denton prefers to use open techniques since they provide unparalleled access to and visibility of the nasal structures. Rhinoplasty scarring usually occurs on the columella. This means scarring is usually not visible. What’s more, if any scarring does occur, it can be minimized through post-surgery care, such as avoiding smoking and alcohol and minimizing strenuous activity during the healing process.
Learn More About Rhinoplasty by Booking Your Consultation with Dr. Denton
If you are considering undergoing a rhinoplasty procedure you should consider who will be performing the surgery. You need to choose a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, who has extensive experience and expertise in rhinoplasty, as it is considered a challenging procedure. By selecting the proper surgeon you will increase the chance of achieving the result you want and which will satisfy you for the rest of your life.
Dr. Andrew Denton is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, who has extensive experience and expertise in rhinoplasty. He understands that each patient has a unique set of expectations, which is why he is always willing to discuss every step of the procedure. At Dr. Denton’s state-of-the-art private operating facility in Vancouver, you will also be able to see the expected results of your rhinoplasty through the use of computer imaging. Dr. Denton truly believes that all his patients must be fully informed about the procedures they may be considering so that they can be equal members of the decision-making team.
Schedule your rhinoplasty consultation here or call us at 604-879-3223 today and not only breathe easier but also look and feel more confident.
Our private and comfortable offices are located in the heart of Vancouver’s medical corridor, just one block from Vancouver General Hospital. Our state-of-the-art on-site surgical suite allows all patient visits – from consultation through surgery and post-operative follow-up – to be scheduled at this location, adding simplicity, familiarity, and convenience to the patient experience.