Can Rhinoplasty Be Performed Under the Age of 18? When Is Rhinoplasty Suitable for Young Patients?

“Can rhinoplasty be performed under the age of 18?” is a question that has been frequently asked by both families and patients for years.

You may come across many different opinions on this subject online. To be clear, this is not a black-and-white issue. Every young patient should be evaluated individually. The answer to the question can rhinoplasty be performed under the age of 18 is not definite.

However, there are some situations in which the evaluation process becomes clearer.

Especially:

• severe nasal obstruction
• breathing problems
• significant septum deviation
• structural nasal deformities

conditions like these may seriously affect the quality of life of some young patients.

In such cases, when the appropriate conditions are met and family approval is definitely obtained, rhinoplasty may be planned at a young age.

A Child With Nasal Obstruction Is Still an Adolescent​​​​​​

There is an important point that should not be forgotten here:

The presence of a breathing problem in a young person does not change the fact that they are still in adolescence.

Because the right surgery performed at the right time can make a significant contribution to a young person’s quality of life.

However, rushed decisions made at the wrong time may lead to unnecessary regrets.

The Developmental Process Is Not the Same in Girls and Boys

Girls generally mature earlier than boys.

However, not only psychological maturity but also bone development is important here.

The development of the facial bones and nose continues for a certain period of time.

For this reason, in female patients, approximately two years after the onset of menstruation may generally be considered one of the first suitable periods for rhinoplasty.

Of course, this is not an exact mathematical rule.

Because there are exceptions to every generalization in medicine.

There is a commonly used saying in medicine:

“There is no disease, there is a patient.”

In other words, every individual’s:

• bone structure
• hormonal development
• psychological process
• facial anatomy

is different from one another. For this reason, rhinoplasty planning under the age of 18 should be done specifically for each patient.

In Male Patients, the Process Is Usually Completed Later

In male patients, bone development is often completed somewhat later.

For this reason, the appropriate period for rhinoplasty in men is generally at a later age compared to girls.

However:

• - if bone development has been largely completed
• - if the patient knows what they want
• - if expectations are realistic
• - if family support is present

rhinoplasty may be planned under the age of 18 in some male patients.

What Do I Pay Attention to When Making a Decision?

In my own practice, when making a decision in young patients, I especially pay attention to the following points:

• - Is there really a functional need?
• - Has bone development been completed at a sufficient level?
• - Are the patient’s expectations realistic?
• - Is the decision a temporary desire?

• - Is there healthy communication between the family and the child?

Can rhinoplasty be performed under the age of 18 is a sensitive process that should be evaluated individually.

My approach, especially in young patients, is to proceed by evaluating both physical development and the psychological process together, without making rushed decisions.

Because sometimes the right decision is to perform surgery.

And sometimes, it is to wait a little longer…