After skin cancer
Removing a skin tumour leaves a tissue defect, which reconstruction repairs. It aims both to restore appearance and to maintain function.
Dr. Gustavo Suárez · Nose surgery
Reconstructive rhinoplastyin Barcelona.
Skin cancer, an accident or structural collapse can alter the shape of the nose and airflow. Reconstructive rhinoplasty, or nasal reconstruction, aims to restore both.
Request a consultation What is reconstructive rhinoplasty?The problem it addresses
Restoring shape
and function.
Reconstructive rhinoplasty treats noses that have lost shape, structure or the ability to breathe. Dr. Suárez considers it after skin cancer, an accident, nasal trauma or collapse of the nose, among other situations.
Its aim is to restore the shape and function of the nose and minimise any remaining deformity. Reconstruction does not restore the nose as it was before, and that limitation forms part of the discussion beforehand.
Why it is considered
The most
common reasons.
Dr. Suárez identifies these situations as common reasons for nasal reconstruction, although they are not the only ones.
After an accident or trauma
An impact can change the shape of the nose and airflow. Reconstruction aims to restore both.
Due to nasal collapse
This is also among the reasons the doctor mentions. The physical examination determines which part of the structure has collapsed and how it is addressed.
What is assessed
What is assessed
during the consultation.
Dr. Suárez begins by understanding each patient's aesthetic and functional objectives and performs a detailed physical examination to assess the structure of the nose. He does not focus solely on the nose, but also analyses the face as a whole, including the lips and chin, as all these elements influence how the result is perceived.
His training in otorhinolaryngology and facial plastic surgery underpins this assessment. The European Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery fellowship is a programme dedicated to plastic and reconstructive surgery of the face, and his publications include a study on rhinoplasty in cleft lip and palate.
Meet Dr. SuárezThe approach
How reconstruction
is planned.
Each reconstruction starts with what is missing. The plan depends on the tissue lost, the remaining structure and whether the problem also affects airflow.
Skin and coverage
Small defects may be closed directly or covered with tissue from a neighbouring area. Large skin and soft tissue defects require more complex reconstructions, sometimes in several stages.
Internal structure
Cartilage or bone grafts help restore support to the nose's internal structure, which maintains its shape and keeps the airway open.
Breathing
There are complex functional problems, such as nasal valve collapse, that are not resolved with septoplasty or turbinate surgery. The assessment examines the nose externally and internally.
The scar
All surgery leaves a scar, including reconstructive surgery. Its location and the care it requires are explained before the procedure, together with possible complications.
After surgery
Care and
follow-up.
Recovery
Swelling and a feeling of congestion can be part of the first few weeks, and the appearance may still change over the following months.
When reconstruction is planned in several stages, follow-up accompanies each one. The return to work or exercise depends on the procedure, progress and type of activity.
Risks and limitations
Recognised risks of nasal surgery include heavy bleeding, infection, healing problems, changes in the sense of smell, damage to the cartilage wall separating the nostrils and permanent breathing difficulties, in addition to the general risks of any surgery.
The aim is to minimise the remaining deformity, rather than restore the previous nose.
These risks are exceptional. During the consultation, following medical assessment, they are explained individually according to each patient's characteristics.
Before deciding
Frequently asked
questions.
Questions that often accompany nasal reconstruction.
What determines the extent of nasal reconstruction?
On the tissue that is missing and what remains. A small defect can be addressed by closing the skin directly or using neighbouring tissue; a large one requires a more complex reconstruction, sometimes in several stages. The examination during the consultation establishes the circumstances of each case.
Which type of nose is hardest to operate on?
No single type of nose can be identified as the most difficult. In reconstruction, the plan is determined by the missing tissue, the condition of the remaining tissue and whether breathing is also affected.
Does Spain's public health system cover rhinoplasty?
That decision is not made in a private consultation: it depends on the reason for the procedure and the criteria of the relevant health service. What the consultation can do is explain the problem and the available options.
What should I bring to the initial consultation?
Your written questions and any available reports, especially if there has already been nose surgery or trauma. It is also helpful to mention regular medication, allergies and other treatments.
Related procedures
Other procedures
in the same area.
Revision rhinoplasty
Surgery on a nose that has already been operated on. The assessment starts with the previous procedure and the condition of the tissues.
Septorhinoplasty
Corrects the septum and the external shape of the nose in the same procedure, when the deviation affects breathing and appearance.