Every day, plastic surgery patients all over the world opt to go under the knife with the goal of looking better and feeling more confident—and it’s no secret that they are typically thrilled with their results. That said, patients prefer to limit downtime after plastic surgery like rhinoplasty. At our Paramus, NJ practice, we are always on the lookout for advances that could make the recovery process faster and easier.
According to a new study highlighted on ZME science, some researchers are saying a new molecular technique could change plastic surgery. We looked into the details to see if it might benefit our patients in the future.
Can electricity reshape your cartilage?
A new “surgical” technique was developed by researchers at Occidental College, and they believe it could offer quicker, office-based nose reshaping for patients in the future. It involves running electricity through cartilage that has been held in place by a 3D-printed mold and thus reshaping the targeted tissues instead of cutting them.
Essentially, when electricity is passed through cartilage, the tissues loosen and become malleable. Once this has happened, the cartilage can be molded into a different shape, which will remain once the cartilage has rehardened. Scientists first discovered this technique while attempting to find ways to reshape cartilage without the use of heat and the associated risk of killing cells.
“We envision this new technique as a low-cost office procedure done under local anesthesia. The whole process would take about five minutes.” —Michael Hill, lead author of the study
The procedures most likely to benefit from this advance? Those that involve reshaping of cartilage, such as rhinoplasty and ear reshaping.
Will plastic surgeons be able to use electricity for nose reshaping in the future?
While this development sounds exciting, the truth is most rhinoplasty procedures include bone reshaping. In fact, Dr. Parker estimates that over 90% of his rhinoplasty patients need more than cartilage changes alone to achieve the results they desire.
Tiplasty may be better suited to the technology, but it will still take years for this or any other new option to be fully understood and tested. There are also many intricacies involved in rhinoplasty surgery (related to breathing and aesthetics) that likely can’t be replicated with a non-surgical option.
For now, patients are best off enlisting the expertise of a board certified plastic surgeon and choosing proven-effective procedures.
Looking for rhinoplasty?
Dr. Parker is a well-known rhinoplasty surgeon in New Jersey, and he and his dedicated team routinely adopt new technologies to help patients get the results they want while minimizing rhinoplasty downtime. We even have a Rapid Recovery Program to help you experience swift and smooth post-op healing.
We love to answer questions and have imaging software so you can preview your new nose as well as consider related options such as chin enhancement. Our Paramus plastic surgery office serves Ridgewood and Hackensack, NJ, and beyond, so contact us online to request a personal consultation or call us at (201) 967-1212 to schedule an appointment. We’ll help you understand all of your options.
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