Post-Cancer Rhinoplasty: Nose Job to Correct Deformities​
Post-cancer rhinoplasty is reconstructive rhinoplasty performed to correct nose deformities resulting from nose cancer surgery.

Post-cancer rhinoplasty ​is reconstructive rhinoplasty (a nose job) performed to correct nose deformities resulting from nose cancer surgery.

​What is reconstructive rhinoplasty after cancer surgery?

Reconstructive rhinoplasty is performed to correct deformities of the nose that are acquired as a result of cancer surgery or after direct trauma to the nose.

Post-cancer rhinoplasty

"The key to successful treatment of skin cancers over areas of the nose is complete excision of the tumour with a clear margin. This often leaves a defect that cannot be closed primarily. The skin overlying the nose can be quite tight, and after excision of skin cancers of the nose, the resulting defect or deformity can often be reconstructed with local flaps which borrow skin from the adjacent skin or more distant flaps such as forehead flaps (see image below)," says Dr Terence Goh, Visiting Consultant, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group. 

Forehead flap for nasal reconstructionThese skin flaps are raised to mobilise skin from the adjacent areas of the cheek, lip or even forehead to provide durable skin cover after cancer excision. If the cartilage framework of the nose is also affected, “replacement of like with like” (a mantra that is practiced by all plastic surgeons) is done with either ear cartilage or rib cartilage.

In severe cases, where the tissue loss is large, free tissue transfer may be required to reconstruct both the inner lining of the nose and the exterior. Whilst the reconstruction may require the surgery to be staged and the recovery can be long, the results are often satisfying for both the patients and surgeon.

Did you know there is Asian rhinoplasty? How is Asian rhinoplasty different from conventional rhinoplasty? And how has it evolved? Read on to find out! 

Ref: N18

Related Articles

Public Events

31 Jul 2025
Talks Health Talk: Hypertension Management @ SHP-Marine Parade
​Free, no registration required. Please walk in to clinic at specified date and time. Learn More
01 Aug 2025
Workshop Health Workshop : Golden Series Part 1 @ SHP-Tampines North
​Free, no registration required. Please walk in to clinic at specified date and time. Learn More
02 Aug 2025
Webinar Raising a Healthy Breastfed Baby from Birth
Online  •  Free Learn More
05 Aug 2025
Talks Health Talk: Advance Care Planning @ SHP-Outram
​Free, no registration required. Please walk in to clinic at specified date and time. Learn More