Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure which is usually performed by an Otolaryngologist, Maxillofacial Surgeon, or Plastic Surgeon in order to improve the function (reconstructive surgery) and/or the appearance (cosmetic surgery) of a person's nose. Rhinoplasty is also commonly called a "nose reshaping". It can be performed under a general anesthetic or with local anesthetic. Incisions are made inside the nostrils (closed procedure) rarely an inconspicuous incision under the columella (open procedure). The surgeon first separates soft tissues of the nose from the underlying structures, then reshapes the cartilage and bone. If there are external sutures, they are removed 4 to 5 days after surgery. The external cast is removed at one week. If there are internal stents, they are usually removed at one to two weeks. The swelling subsided over several months. The surgeon may shape a small piece of the patient's own cartilage or bone to strengthen or change the structure of the nose. In the rare case, again usually revision rhinoplasty, where bone is required, it is harvested from the cranium or ribs. Sometimes a synthetic implant may be used to reconstruct the nose. To improve nasal breathing function, a septoplasty may also be performed. If there is turbinate hypertrophy, an inferior turbinectomy can be done. Complications include i) Post operative bleeding is uncommon and often resolves without needing treatment. Ii) Infection is rare and can occasionally progress to an abscess that requires surgical drainage. Iii) Infection is rare and can occasionally progress to an abscess that requires surgical drainage. Iv) A hole can be inadvertently made at the time of surgery in the septum, called a septal perforation. This can cause chronic nose bleeding, crusting, difficult breathing and whistling with breathing. iv) If an incision is made across the collumella (open rhinoplasty) there can be variable degree of numbness to the nose that may take months to resolve.