What are the risks and complications of rhinoplasty?
⚠️ Contact your surgeon or seek emergency care if you notice:
Signs of infection after surgery (increasing redness, warmth, swelling, fever, or discharge), difficulty breathing, severe or worsening pain, or significant bleeding. These could signal a complication that needs prompt medical attention.
Short answer
Rhinoplasty is generally safe, but like any surgery it carries real risks. Common complications include skin issues, numbness, and the need for revision surgery, while serious problems like infection or significant scarring occur less often. Understanding these risks before surgery helps you make an informed decision and have realistic expectations.
What the research shows
A broad review of over 100 rhinoplasty studies found 36 different reported complications. The most common included skin problems such as acne or oiliness (about 18%), numbness (about 17%), unplanned hospital visits (about 6.5%), need for revision surgery (about 5%), and patient dissatisfaction (about 5%) [8]. Importantly, researchers have noted that complication reporting across studies is inconsistent, which makes comparing exact numbers difficult [2].
When rib cartilage is used as a graft material during rhinoplasty, the overall complication rate is around 15%, with the most common issue being warping of the cartilage (about 3%). Infection and contour irregularities each occur in roughly 1 to 1.5% of cases. There is also a small risk of a chest scar at the harvest site (about 2%), though serious complications like a collapsed lung are extremely rare [5]. When donor cartilage from a tissue bank is used instead, complication rates are similarly low, with revision and displacement being the most common concerns [6].
Specific risks to know about
The most commonly listed risks on rhinoplasty consent forms are infection (mentioned on 100% of forms), bleeding (96%), and scarring (96%) [8]. However, the need for revision surgery and the possibility of being unhappy with results are just as important and should be discussed during your consultation, even though some surgeons leave these off consent forms [8].
Technical complications, such as damage to nasal support structures, are among the most frequent issues and are largely related to surgical technique. A skilled, experienced surgeon can reduce many of these risks significantly [3]. When rhinoplasty is combined with sinus surgery, the complication rate is similar to rhinoplasty alone, with major complications seen in about 3.5 to 5.8% of cases, and patient satisfaction remains high at around 88 to 92% [1].
What this means for you
Most people who have rhinoplasty do well, and serious complications are uncommon. That said, revision surgery is a real possibility that every patient should discuss openly with their surgeon before proceeding [8]. Choosing a board-certified surgeon with specific rhinoplasty experience is one of the most important steps you can take to lower your personal risk [3].
It is also worth knowing that some complications, such as swelling or numbness, can take many months to fully resolve. Make sure your consent discussions cover not just infection and bleeding, but also the possibility of needing a touch-up or revision procedure and what dissatisfaction with results could mean for your care plan [8].
What to ask your surgeon
Before your procedure, consider asking your surgeon: What is your personal revision rate? What specific complications are most likely given my nose's anatomy and the techniques you plan to use? If rib cartilage is needed, what are the donor-site risks? How will you handle my care if I am unhappy with the result? These conversations are an important part of a thorough informed consent process [8] [3].