Rhinoplasty Q&A

80%

WORTH IT RATING

1,002 Reviews

Ask a Question

View Before and Afters

Average Rhinoplasty Cost: $5,975

Learn about Rhinoplasty

5,046 people and 803 doctors are talking about Rhinoplasty

Get Free Email Updates

Rhinoplasty with Concha Bullosa Surgery Possible?

asked 2 years ago by lanafalana in new Jersey
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 2,289 times
Tags: nose, MRI

I have had sinus issues in the past. An MRI revealed a concha bullosa. Do you think I need surgery for this? I also have always wanted rhinoplasty. Can I do the two surgeries together?

15 answers to Rhinoplasty with Concha Bullosa Surgery Possible?

Simultaneous Sinus and Nasal Surgery

Ask the ENT physician who hasevaluated your previous sinus problems if surgery is necessary to treat the concha bullosa. As long as infection is not present, the sinus and nasal surgery can be done simultaneously

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Concah Bullosa and rhinoplasty

Yes, you can do the two operations together. However, treatment of the concha bullosa is only necessary if it is symptomatic. Another question may be, will the rhinoplasty make the concha bullosa more symptomatic and that may be more difficult to predict. This depends on the agressiveness of the lateral osteotomies and limitation of the nasal valve. In some circumstances, you may require a secondary surgery to reduce it if necessary. Some physicians are reluctant to remove this at the first... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

A concha bullosa is an enlargement of one of organs inside the nose that helps in filtering the air

A concha bullosa is the enlargement of one of the organs inside the nose. Its main functions are to filter the air as it moves to the lungs by secreting mucous to trap the bacteria and other pariticles in the air. It also helps to regulate the temperature of the air before it gets to the lungs. If the concha bullosa is not blocking the airway and is free of disease (Sinusitis), there is no need to remove it. If it is diseased or blocing the airway It can be removed at the same time as a... more

Jack P. Gunter, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

www.rhinoplasty-usa.com

Concha bullosa surgery with rhinoplasty is possible

A concha bullosa is simply an ear pocket within the middle turbinate and is usually left alone unless it is full of polyps. There is no need to remove the concha bullosa. A rhinoplasty is done for aesthetic reasons. If the patient is going in for a rhinoplasty, the concha bullosa can be surgically opened quite easily, but patients do not need surgery just because they have a concha bullosa. Both surgeries can certainly be done together.

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Why do you need the concha bullosa treated?

Sure, it is safe to do simultaneous functional sinus/nasal surgery at the same time as cosmetic rhinoplasty. My question for you is why do you need to concha bullosa treated? Only do it if you are have some type of problem with the concha bullosa. Chronic facial pain, nasal obstruction, chronic sinusitis are some of the reasons to consider having the concha bullosa treated only after they have failed appropriate medical treatment. Good Luck!

Robert F. Gray, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and concha bullosa surgery

You should see an ENT surgeon to determine if you need surgery on the concha bullosa. If so, in most cases a cosmetic rhinoplasty can be done at the same time. Your ENT surgeon may have experience with facial plastic surgery, or you may wish to have a plastic surgeon do the rhinoplasty. Whichever you decide, make sure that your surgeon is board-certified and has significant experience with rhinoplasty surgery. Keep in mind that insurance will cover the concha surgery, but your... more

Nina S. Naidu, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Concha bullosa and rhinoplasty

If the concha bullosa is symptomatic, then it should be treated. This can be done in conjunction with your rhinoplasty. If you are asymtpomatic, then you can go ahead with the rhinoplasty alone.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Concha Bullosa Sinus Surgery and Rhinoplasty

Sinus surgery for concha bullosa and similar disorders can be done simultaneously with a Rhinoplasty. The more important question is if sinus surgery is needed for the concha bullosa. It is indicated if you are having symptoms from it such as headaches, frequent sinus infections etc. Even in that situation a round of antibiotics is tried before making the decision to proceed with sinus surgery. Regards

Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and sinus surgery

Lanafalana Sinus surgery is performed if you have recurrent (4 or more infections per year) or chronic sinusitis (infection lasting more than 3 months which has failed to respond to antibiotics). A concha bullosa is an enlarged turbinate, a structure near the sinus openings that can block them and lead to infections. Most sinus problems are caused by allergies. Treating these allergies effectively will often times prevent the need for sinus surgery in the future. Rhinoplasty can be... more

Ran Y. Rubinstein, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty and Concha Bullosa Removal

Hi Lana, Yes, it is possible to have rhinoplasty surgery and removal of the concha bullosa during the same procedure. Have your surgeon make sure that there is not any purulent material (infection) in the conchas before your surgery. The only reasons to operate on a concha bullosa are if they are causing recurrent infections, headaches, nasal obstruction, or if you want your insurance company to pay for the operating room, anesthesiologist, and a portion of your rhinoplasty surgeon's fee... more

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty with Concha Bullosa

Concha Bullosa is a hollowing of the nasal turbinate. The nasal turbinate humidifies and filters air prior to inhalation into the lungs. Concha bullosa does not necesarily cause sinus or breathing issues. However, concha bullosa can sometimes occlude the sinus drainage passages causing sinusitis. Surgical intervention for a cocha bullosa is decided on the basis of clinical information and the rest of the MRI or more appropriate CAT scan results. It is certainly safe to have a rhinoplasty... more

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facechange.org

Sinus surgery can safely be done at the same time as a rhinoplasty

Sinus surgery can safely be done at the same time as a rhinoplasty and this includes a limited sinus surgery like removing concha bullosa that may be contributing to sinus issues. Some surgeons will even discount the cost of the cosmetic rhinoplasty when you have a functional surgery in conjunction with it. This is something that we and many other surgeons will commonly do so if you are thinking of having a rhinoplasty, you can usually save on the surgical fees as well as have one recovery... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

It's quite possible to do at the time of rhinoplasty

First, the concha bullosa only requires treatment if it's causing or will likely cause nasal obstruction. Concerns about creating an overly dry nose are unfounded if the procedure is done correctly, which is to remove the lateral half of the concha bullosa and not to remove the entire middle turbinate. This can certainly be treated at the same time as rhinoplasty, and it makes good sense to do so, if indicated (one anesthesia, one period of recovery, no effect on the aesthetic result, etc... more

David C. Pearson, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

When it comes to sinus surgery you need to treat the patient not the X-Ray

A concha bullosa is an air pocket in what is called the middle turbinate. This turbinate guards the opening into the sinuses. When it balloons out with a concha bullosa, it can cause recurrent sinusitis. If you have sinus symptoms it may need treatment. If it is an indecently finding on X-Ray it may not need treatment if its not symptomatic; discuss this with your doctor. To answer the rest of your question, yes it can be treated at the same time as Rhinoplasty. This would be using a... more

Steven J. Pearlman, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

A concha bullosa is a normal-variant in your nose that does not typically require surgery.

A concha bullosa is an air-filled space within your middle turbinate, and findings like this are routinely seen on MRIs and CT scans of your head. The concha bullosa may require surgery if it's blocking drainage of your sinuses, but that scenario is uncommon in my experience. You should consult a board-certified ENT regarding your sinus issues. It would be helpful to bring a copy of your scans during that visit. I hope this is helpful for you. Best regards.