Taping

As soon as my cast came off, the tape went on. I was instructed to tape my nose for at least 6 weeks to reduce swelling and to promote healing. Taping my nose was very important to help my nasal soft tissues "mold down" around the reduced bony and cartilage framework. I ended up taping my nose for 2½ months because it was easy to do, and I could still see a visible benefit.

In the beginning, a few hours after removing the tape, the swelling would return, but not to its previous amount. The benefit of taping was obvious to me because there would be a line across my supra-tip that delineated the untaped major-swell and taped minor-swell areas. After an hour or so of unbinding my nose and letting it run free, the supra-tip line would not be noticeable.

The first few times I removed the tape, the tape would leave behind some of its adhesive. I tried using rubbing alcohol, then soap and water to remove the adhesive. A thin film of adhesive was usually left behind. That film resulted in a stickiness that I could feel when touching my nose. On the suggestion of another post-op patient, Tracy, I tried using olive oil. I'm not sure if the olive oil actually removed the adhesive, but it sure made my nose less sticky.

After switching to a new roll of tape, and probably developing better technique in tape removal, using rubbing alcohol, then soap and water worked fine. There was no tackiness left on the outside, only on the inside .

Although taping was very effective for me, it should only be done under the direction of one's surgeon. The following instructions were provided by Dr. Romano.

Nasal Taping Instructions

The gentle a pplication of tape to your nose postoperatively will help to reduce swelling quicker, speed healing, and obtain a better and more predictable result. The pressure from the tape "splints" the new nasal structure in place to better control the healing. The pressure from the tape also "presses out" the swelling and tissue edema

Some patients can tolerate taping very well for long periods, others cannot. Let your nose and your anatomy give you that message. If you cannot tolerate taping, the signs are usually irritation, redness, and bumps from the tape. Stop taping if this is the case or try interrupting the process fro several days until the irritation clears, then try again.

Taping can safely be performed at any times and as often as you link. I recommend this schedule at a minimum:

Begin immediately after the splint is removed. Do this for at least six weeks at least at night.
If you don't mind taping during the day, it is fine to do so.
After six weeks, taping can be discontinued. If you notice some return of swelling, then it is okay to resume taping if you wish.

Instructions:

Wash your nose with mild soap and water and blot dry. Wait 5-10 minutes.
Cut three 1-1/2 to 2 inch strips of paper tape 1/2 inch wide.
Apply the first strip across the top of the nose just behind the tip, and press down onto the sides and cheek as you apply the tape.
Apply the second strip under the tip and press up onto the sides of the nose to support the tip. Pinch the edges together at the tip to apply gentle extra pressure and support.
Apply the third strip of tape over the first.
Repeat this daily or twice daily as your nasal tissues tolerate.

Diagrams:

Taping Hints

In the images below, I used 3M Micropore 1" paper tape. The white version of the Micropore tape is available at most drugstores. I ordered the tan tape because I wore it during the day on weekends.

The strips were cut into 3 1/4" lengths; I like to wear it long. I found that longer strips were easier to apply, easier to remove, and had fewer problems peeling around the edges.

Click on the images below to get a larger version.

Hint #1: The first strip of tape is applied over the bridge. The first couple of times that I tried this, the upper corners of the tape covered an area below my eyes (where the bags are ). Because this skin under the eyes is so sensitive and elastic, it's difficult removing the tape. A simple solution is to cut off the upper corners of this strip of tape. The second strip is also applied over the dorsum, just a little further down such that the lower edge is at the supra-tip. The third and fourth strips are created by making a length-wise cut in a strip the same length as the second one. The third strip is wrapped under the nose, as in the above diagram. Be careful to avoid the columella scar. The fourth strip is placed over the the dorsum, on top of the third strip, and lined up along the edge along the supra-tip.
Hint #2: With a little practice, it became easy to apply the tape. I found it easiest to place the middle of the tape on the dorsum, and just smooth it around the dorsum. Then, I'd grab one of the upper corners (or let the tape stick to my finger) and keep it taut as I'd use my other finger to smooth the tape down along my nose. This technique is effective at avoiding wrinkles in the tape.
Hint #3: If the tape is long enough such that it makes it onto the cheek bone, there might be a hollow space under the tape at the crease between your cheek bone and nostril. Sometimes the hollow space ends up being a little large, and makes the tape job noticeable. The hollow spaces can be fixed by making a small relief cut in the tape. The relief cut should be done at the base of the nostril, and be less than 1/4 the width of the tape. After the cut is done, smooth the tape down along the nostril and cheek bone.
Voìla!

Updated Sun Jun 22, 2003

	Hint #1: The first strip of tape is applied over the bridge. The first couple of times that I tried this, the upper corners of the tape covered an area below my eyes (where the bags are ). Because this skin under the eyes is so sensitive and elastic, it's difficult removing the tape. A simple solution is to cut off the upper corners of this strip of tape. The second strip is also applied over the dorsum, just a little further down such that the lower edge is at the supra-tip. The third and fourth strips are created by making a length-wise cut in a strip the same length as the second one. The third strip is wrapped under the nose, as in the above diagram. Be careful to avoid the columella scar. The fourth strip is placed over the the dorsum, on top of the third strip, and lined up along the edge along the supra-tip.
	Hint #2: With a little practice, it became easy to apply the tape. I found it easiest to place the middle of the tape on the dorsum, and just smooth it around the dorsum. Then, I'd grab one of the upper corners (or let the tape stick to my finger) and keep it taut as I'd use my other finger to smooth the tape down along my nose. This technique is effective at avoiding wrinkles in the tape.
	Hint #3: If the tape is long enough such that it makes it onto the cheek bone, there might be a hollow space under the tape at the crease between your cheek bone and nostril. Sometimes the hollow space ends up being a little large, and makes the tape job noticeable. The hollow spaces can be fixed by making a small relief cut in the tape. The relief cut should be done at the base of the nostril, and be less than 1/4 the width of the tape. After the cut is done, smooth the tape down along the nostril and cheek bone.
	Voìla!