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| Informed Consent |
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RHINOPLASTY SURGERY
INSTRUCTIONS
This is an informed consent document that has been prepared to assist your plastic surgeon inform you about rhinoplasty surgery, its risks, and alternative treatment.
It is important that you read this information carefully and completely. Please initial each page, indicating that you have read the page and sign the consent for surgery as proposed by your plastic surgeon.
INTRODUCTION
Surgery of the nose (rhinoplasty) is an operation frequently performed by plastic surgeons. This surgical procedure can produce changes in the appearance, structure, and function of the nose. Rhinoplasty can reduce or increase the size of the nose, change the shape of the tip, narrow the width of the nostrils, or change the angle between the nose and the upper lip. This operation can help correct birth defects, nasal injuries, and help relieve some breathing problems.
There is not a universal type of rhinoplasty surgery that will meet the needs of every patient. Rhinoplasty surgery is customized for each patient, depending on his or her needs. Incisions may be made within the nose or concealed in inconspicuous locations of the nose in the open rhinoplasty procedure. Internal nasal surgery to improve nasal breathing can be performed at the time of the rhinoplasty.
The best candidates for this type of surgery are individuals who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the appearance of their nose. In addition to realistic expectations, good health and psychological stability are important qualities for a patient considering rhinoplasty surgery. Rhinoplasty can be performed in conjunction with other surgeries.
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT
Alternative forms of management consist of not undergoing the rhinoplasty surgery. Certain internal nasal airway disorders may not require surgery on the exterior of the nose. Risks and potential complications are associated with alternative forms of treatment that involve surgery such as septoplasty to correct nasal airway disorders.
RISKS of RHINOPLASTY SURGERY
With any type of activity there is inherent risk. An individual's choice to undergo a surgical procedure is based on the comparison of the risk to potential benefit. Although the majority of patients do not experience these complications, you should discuss each of them with your plastic surgeon to make sure you understand the risks, potential complications and consequences of rhinoplasty.
BLEEDING
Bleeding is possible, though unusual. You may have problems with bleeding during or after surgery. Should post-operative bleeding occur, it may require emergency treatment to stop the bleeding or blood transfusion. Do not take any aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications for ten days before surgery, as this contributes to a greater risk of bleeding. Hypertension (high blood pressure) that is not under good medical control may cause bleeding during or after surgery. Accumulations of blood under the skin may delay healing and cause scarring.
INFECTION
It is quite unusual after surgery. Should an infection occur, additional treatment including antibiotics may be necessary.
SCARRING
Although good wound healing after a surgical procedure is expected, abnormal scars may occur both within the skin and the deeper tissues. Scars may be unattractive and of different color than the surrounding skin. There is the possibility of visible marks from sutures. Additional treatments including surgery may be needed to treat scarring.
DAMAGE TO DEEPER STRUCTURES
Damage to deeper structure such as nerves, tear ducts, blood vessels and muscles may be injured during the course of surgery. The potential for this to occur varies with the type of rhinoplasty procedure performed. Injury to deeper structures may be temporary or permanent.
UNSATISFACTORY RESULT
There is the possibility of an unsatisfactory result from the rhinoplasty surgery. The surgery may result in unacceptable visible or tactile deformities, loss of function, or structural malposition after rhinoplasty surgery. You may be disappointed that the results of rhinoplasty surgery do not meet your expectations. Additional surgery may be necessary should the result of rhinoplasty be unsatisfactory.
NUMBNESS
There is the potential for permanent numbness within the nasal skin after rhinoplasty. The occurrence of this is not predictable. Diminished (or loss of skin sensation) in the nasal area may not totally resolve after rhinoplasty.
ASYMMETRY
The human face is normally asymmetrical. There can be a variation from one side to the other in the results obtained from a rhinoplasty procedure.
CHRONIC PAIN
Chronic pain may occur very infrequently after rhinoplasty.
SKIN DISORDERS/SKIN CANCER
Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to reshape both the internal and external structures of the nose. Skin disorders and skin cancer may occur independently of a rhinoplasty.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS
In rare cases, local allergies to tape, suture material, or topical preparations have been reported. Systemic reactions which are more serious may occur to drugs used during surgery and prescription medicines. Allergic reactions may require additional treatment.
DELAYED HEALING
Wound disruption or delayed wound healing is possible. Some areas of the face may not heal normally and may take a long time to heal. Areas of skin may die. This may require frequent dressing changes or further surgery to remove the non-healed tissue.
LONG TERM AFFECTS
Subsequent alterations in nasal appearance may occur as the result of aging, sun exposure, or other circumstances not related to rhinoplasty surgery. Future surgery or other treatments may be necessary to maintain the results of a rhinoplasty operation.
NASAL SEPTAL PERFORATION
There is the possibility that surgery will cause a hole in the nasal septum to develop. The occurrence of this is rare. However, if it occurs, additional surgical treatment may be necessary to repair the hole in the nasal septum. In some cases, it may be impossible to correct this complication.
NASAL AIRWAY ALTERATIONS
Changes may occur after a rhinoplasty or septoplasty operation that may interfere with normal passage of air through the nose.
SURGICAL ANESTHESIA
Both local and general anesthesia involve risk. There is the possibility of complications, injury, and even death from all forms of surgical anesthesia or sedation.
HEALTH INSURANCE
Most health insurance companies exclude coverage for cosmetic surgical operations or any complications that might occur from cosmetic surgery. If the procedure corrects a breathing problem or marked deformity after a nasal fracture, a portion may be covered. Carefully review your health insurance subscriber-information pamphlet.
ADDITIONAL SURGERY NECESSARY
There are many variable conditions in addition to risk and potential surgical complications that may influence the long-term results from rhinoplasty surgery. Even though risks and complications occur infrequently. The risks cited are particularly associated with rhinoplasty surgery. Other complications and risks can occur but are even more uncommon. Should complications occur, additional surgery or other treatments may be necessary. The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee or warranty expressed or implied, as to the results that may be obtained. Infrequently, it is necessary to perform additional surgery to improve your results.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The cost of surgery involves several charges for the services provided. The total includes fees charged by your doctor, the cost of surgical supplies, anesthesia, laboratory tests, and possible outpatient hospital charges, depending on where the surgery is performed. Depending on whether the cost of surgery is covered by an insurance plan, you will be responsible for necessary co-payments, deductibles, and charges not covered. Additional costs may occur should complications develop from the surgery. Secondary surgery or hospital day surgery charges involved with revisionary surgery would also be your responsibility.
DISCLAIMER
Informed consent documents are used to communicate information about the proposed surgical treatment of a disease or condition along with disclosure of risks and alternative forms of treatment(s). The informed consent process attempts to define principles of risk disclosure that should generally meet the needs of most patients in most circumstances.
However, informed consent documents should not be considered all inclusive in defining other methods of care and risks encountered. Your plastic surgeon may provide you with additional or different information which is based on all the facts in your particular case and the state of medical knowledge.
Informed consent documents are not intended to define or serve as the standard of medical care. Standards of medical care are determined on the basis of all of the facts involved in an individual case and are subject to change as scientific knowledge and technology advance and as practice patterns evolve.
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