Septoplasty Q&A
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Nose Straightening During Septoplasty?

asked 3 years ago by RandomNick in Anonymous Location
Latest answer by Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS
Question viewed 8,629 times

Can any slight nose-straightening be done during Septoplasty, or is that strictly Rhinoplasty?

20 answers to Nose Straightening During Septoplasty?

+5

Combining Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty

Septoplasty is a medically necessary procedure to remove deviated portions of the septum. To straighten the nose, would be deemed a cosmetic procedure. It is possible to combine the two procedures.
Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS

West Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drkrisreddy.com

+2

Combining septoplasty and rhinoplasty

Septoplasty is performed to remove deviated portions of the central septal cartilage, which is anatomically straight at birth.  Rhinoplasty addresses elements of the septum, bone, and cartilage to affect a change in the cosmetic contour of the nose.  Both procedures can be performed and at once.  Every septoplasty and rhinoplasty should be designed and planned differently to match your desires. 
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Septoplasty straightens the nasal septum

Operating on the nasal septum is not the best approach to make the nose appear straight externally (to the naked eye).  A Septoplasty is very good at improving the breathing, by straightening the nasal septum.
Robert Mounsey, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

revesse.ca

+1

Septoplasty, Rhinoplasty, Septorhinoplasty

Dear RandomNick, Nomenclature in medicine looks confusing but is often quite simple. The suffix "-plasty" is from Greek and means to mold or shape. So: Septo-plasty - Altering / changing the shape of the nasal septum (internal deviation causing airflow problems - generally no external changes are visible) Rhino-plasty - Changing the shape of the external nose (rhino) Septo-rhino-plasty - changing both the septum and external nose at the same... more
Michael A. Bogdan, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Septoplasty and rhinoplasty can be performed in the same procedure

While septoplasty can improve breathing, to change the shape of the nose, a rhinoplasty would be necessary. Although insurance companies with cover septoplasty or sub mucous resection, rhinoplasty is strictly cosmetic.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nose straightening surgery

The septum is the internal centerboard of the nose. If it is curved from trauma or birth, it can be straightened with a septoplasty. The curve in the septum does not always appear curved just looking at the external nose. If it does appear curved because of the curve of the septum, then repairing the septum (septioplasty) will correct it, assuming all goes well. The other exrternal appearances of the nose: width, tip projection, shape of nose, etc. will require a rhinoplasty. I hope this... more
Jon Sattler, MD

Glendora Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty

A rhinoplasty can most definitely be done at the same time as a Septoplasty. In fact I do it all the time. Since a Septoplasty can cause breathing problems, it is almost always covered by insurance,  a rhinoplasty, on the other hand, almost never is. Your surgeon will bill your insurance for the Septoplasty only, and you will be responsible for the cosmetic portion.
Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Septoplasty usually does not correct crooked nose

A septoplasty is a surgery that straightens the internal nasal septum through removing or straightening deviated segments. This all occurs inside the nose, and nothing is done to the dorsum (bridge) of the nose. For patients who have a crooked nose, this can be due to a number of factors. The septum is only one potential cause of a crooked nose. I have very rarely seen that a nose will appear straighter following a septoplasty; straightening a nose usually requires a septorhinoplasty.... more
Ryan Greene, MD, PhD

Fort Lauderdale Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Nose straightening with septoplasty alone

A septoplasty can absolutely result in some slight straightening of the nose. It completely depends on whether the deviated septum is the primary cause of the external deviation.  There are certainly many other factors that influence the "straightness" of the nose.  A residual septal deviation is one of the most common problems I encounter when evaluating patients for revision rhinoplasty. 
Matthew Bridges, MD

Richmond Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Septorhinoplasty can open the nasal airway and change the nasal shape

The appearance of the nose can be changed at the same time that the nasal septum is straightened or other procedures are performed on the nasal airway. This is commonly performed and is called a septorhinoplasty. Definitely consult with a facial plastic surgeon before undergoing any surgery to change the nasal appearance. Dr. Stephen Weber - Portland, OR
Stephen Weber, MD

Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Septoplasty vs rhinoplasty

A septoplasty refers to surgical correction of the septum, which is a wall of cartilage that separates the left from the right nostril.  The septum is an internal structure and if it's bent is called a "deviated septum" which often times needs to be straightened to improve breathing in certain patients. Straightening a septum does not necessarily mean the external appearance of one's nose will be straight.  A rhinoplasty will address the external components... more
William Bruno, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Straight nose and Septoplasty

There are many elements to a crooked nose, and crooked septum is one of the primary culprits.  Unfortunately if the surgeon is performing only Septoplasty the nose will retain some of the deviation.  To completely straighten the nose the surgeon needs to perform other maneuvers that will address the bony pyramid, and nasal cartilages, etc.  This would involve Rhinoplasty.  Most commonly I perform septo-rhinoplasty, that corrects all the elements of nasal distortion... more
Boris M. Ackerman, MD

Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Septoplasty

If the deviation of your nose is due to a septal deflection, then performing the septoplasty may correct this. If the deviation of your nose is a bony deviation or a dorsal hump, this would require more work( rhinoplasty).
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

A septoplasty isn't a Rhinoplasty

The relationship between the septum and the external nose isn't a simple one. You can have a straight septum but a crooked nose and vice verso. Furthermore the septum can be made straight but the nose can remain bend and vice verso again. However as a rule as the septum goes, so does the nose. It is very common to ask will the nose be straight after the septum is corrected. The answer is yes sometimes, but not always. This is disappointing as everyone naturally hopes and some expect... more
Oakley Smith, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Straightening the nose during septoplasty

It is possible to straighten the nose during a septoplasty. However, for a balanced result a rhinoplasty should be performed at the same time. Keep in mind that the bridge of the nose is not just the septum. The bridge of the nose is a combination of the septum in the center and the two lateral walls of the nose. The curvature of the nose is caused by the curvature of these three structures. To straighten the nose and establish a balanced result, it is best to do a rhinoplasty during your... more
B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Septoplasty and a straight nose

I agree with the remarks of Dr. Kontis above. If the septum is not straight, then the nose will never be straight. But, unfortunately, the converse is not always true. In other words, if you just have your spetum straightened, it is not likely that a crooked nose will become straight. If you have a crooked nose, your doctor needs to straighten the septum in order to ultimately achieve a straight nose as part of a rhinoplasty or 'nose job.'
Ross A. Clevens, MD

Melbourne Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Septoplasty vs Rhinoplasty for Straightening A Crooked Nose

It is infrequent that a septoplasty alone will correct external crookedness. A septoplasty is a surgery performed to correct the internal a deviated (or crooked) septum. The septum is the piece of cartilage that separates one side of the nose from the other. Normally, the septum is straight. When it is crooked, it is termed a deviated septum. A deviated septum can block the nasal passage and contribute to symptoms of nasal obstruction. Correction of a deviated septum with a septoplasy... more
C. Spencer Cochran, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rhinoplasty is strictly cosmetic

A septoplasty will not straighten the outside portion of the nose; that is considered a rhinoplasty and is cosmetic surgery. A rhinoplasty is done for cosmetic purposes and should not affect the breathing.
William Portuese, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Septoplasty can correct deformity due to septal deviation

If your asymmetry is cause by septal deviation, then septoplasty can help. However, there are other anatomical parameters that need to be evaluated for their contribution to your external nasal appearance, and addressed as needed.
Reza Nabavian, MD

Santa Monica Plastic Surgeon
+1

It all depends on why your nose is crooked

There was an old saying in plastic surgery that "as the septum goes, so does the nose." Sometimes, fixing a deviated septum will improve a crooked nose, however this is not always the case. There are many causes of a crooked nose, and a crooked septum is only one of them. You could have crooked nasal bones, that require re-breaking of the bones, asymmetric anatomy, or collapsed cartilage, to name a few. Surgical correction of a crooked nose is a technically difficult procedure, and... more
Theda C. Kontis, MD

Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon

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