Rhinoplasty (rinoplasti) is a surgical intervention performed to change the shape or function of the nose. Even though this operation, done for aesthetic or medical reasons, usually proceeds without complications, it is still possible to encounter issues like infection during the recovery process. During the first few weeks after surgery, mild pain, swelling, and discharge from the nose are generally considered normal. However, if these symptoms become more severe, a discharge with an unusual odor begins, or a high fever or other unusual conditions develop, the risk of an underlying infection should be evaluated.
Is Fever After Rhinoplasty Normal or Sign of Infection?
In the first few days following nasal surgery, your body’s natural defense mechanisms activate, and a slight fever may appear. This can be thought of as your body going into “repair mode” and working extra hard to heal the area. However, the degree and duration of the fever are quite important.
- Mild Fever (37-38°C): This can be considered a normal reaction of the body to surgery. It typically subsides quickly and shows signs of improvement with rest.
- High Fever (38°C and Above): If the thermometer shows above 38°C for several days without improvement, or the fever fluctuates, it’s worth taking notice. In such a scenario, the likelihood of an underlying infection becomes stronger, necessitating an assessment by your doctor.
You can think of your postoperative body like an alarm system. A mild fever is similar to the alarm giving a small “beep,” whereas a persistent high fever is more like a blaring “fire alarm.” When you notice this alarm, alongside measures to alleviate the fever, it’s important to contact the specialist who performed your operation.
Does Increasing Pain and Sensitivity Raise Concern?
Experiencing a certain level of pain or discomfort after surgery is normal. However, pain that continually intensifies or fails to improve even with painkillers could be a sign that your body is indicating a problem in that area.
- Normal Pain: Tends to be more intense at first and diminish over time, usually manageable with prescribed pain medications.
- Increasing and Widespread Pain: Opposite to the expected course of healing, if the pain is worsening, if you feel burning, or if even a light touch causes severe sensitivity, this is cause for concern. At that point, infection, a hematoma (accumulation of blood in the tissue), or another complication should be considered, and you should consult your doctor.
You can compare this to placing a piece of furniture in your home that begins making more noise over the days. It might have been normal to hear a slight creak at first, but if the noise is growing, there must be a problem that needs resolving.
When Is Redness and Swelling Significant?
It is expected for the nose to appear red or swollen in the initial weeks following surgery. The type of surgery (for example, open rhinoplasty) can especially lead to more noticeable swelling and color changes in the nasal tip and surrounding tissues. What’s crucial here is how the swelling and redness evolve over time and what additional symptoms are present.
- Normal Swelling/Redness: Continues decreasing during the first weeks after surgery. Usually, bruises fade, redness lessens, and edema gradually subsides.
- Persistent or Worsening Redness: A darkening of color, warmth in the area when touched, or progressive sensitivity are warning signs. Think of the warmth on the skin as a stove radiating heat; moving your hand closer reveals a heat wave pushing it back. Similarly, increased warmth, redness, and sensitivity around the surgery site could indicate a localized infection.
What Does Foul-Smelling Nasal Discharge Mean?
After Rhinoplasty, you might experience slight leakage or mucus discharge from your nose. Crusting can also occur within the nose during the healing process. However, a change in the color or odor of the discharge takes it to a different level.
- Normal Discharge: Could be clear or light yellow, possibly with some crusting, and should generally diminish over time.
- Foul-Smelling or Green-Yellow Discharge: Usually signifies a bacterial infection. If you detect an unpleasant odor reminiscent of rotten eggs, you can think of it as your body’s way of signaling “We need help; unwanted visitors are here.”
- The unpleasant odor usually indicates bacteria or other microorganisms forming in the surgical area. Ignoring this could invite the infection to spread into deeper tissues.
Could Difficulty Breathing Indicate an Infection?
Right after surgery, it may be difficult to breathe comfortably through the nose due to tampons, stitches, or edema (swelling) inside the nose. However, this condition should gradually improve, and you should feel breathing through the nose become easier day by day. If breathing difficulties worsen and the congestion feels like “there’s an extra barrier in my nose,” this should be taken seriously.
- Temporary Congestion: Could be related to stitches, tissue swelling, or crust formation. Noticeable improvement occurs over time.
- Increasing Congestion: Infection-related adhesions (scar formation) or a fluid buildup in the tissue (abscess) may be narrowing your airways. Unlike simple swelling, this can trigger anxiety like “I can’t breathe.”
Detecting such an infection early on is crucial. Otherwise, opening these adhesions surgically might become necessary.
When Do Signs of Infection Appear?
Many people feel reassured when everything seems fine a few weeks after surgery. However, some infections can appear later than expected.
- First 1-2 Weeks: This is considered the most common period. Since the body is still trying to heal, it’s easier for bacteria to proliferate.
- Later Stages: Infections can develop months after surgery. In particular, synthetic materials used inside the nose may occasionally cause late reactions as the tissue adapts, so it’s important to remain vigilant about changes in your nose in the long term.
Some people assume that if you haven’t encountered problems during the first few hours of a long journey, everything is fine. However, certain issues can arise halfway through the trip. Infection risk can be quite similar—sometimes everything looks good initially, only to produce symptoms weeks or months later.
Op. Dr. Yunus Kaplan was born in Iskenderun in 1979. He graduated from the Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine in 2001 and completed his specialization in Otolaryngology in 2009. He has worked at various public and private hospitals. Since 2020, he has been accepting patients in the field of rhinoplasty at his private clinic in Istanbul Nişantaşı.
