What's Recommended for a Nose That Impedes Airflow: Septoplasty or Rhinoplasty?

Why do I hear that patients can improve breathing from either surgery?

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11 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon

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Septplasty or Rhinoplasty to Improve Nasal breathing

You must first determine the cause of your nasal obstruction before deciding if a septoplasty, rhinoplasty.or both should be done to improve nasal breathing. Even if not necessary to improve breathing, you may want to include a rhinoplasty if you do not like the appearance of your nose.

Richard W. Fleming, MD

9 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Is a Septoplasty or Rhinoplasty recommended to improve nasal airflow?

Technically, both septoplasty and rhinoplasty can improve nasal airflow. Septoplasty refers to surgery to improve the position of the nasal septum (the midline wall in the nose that divides it into a right and left nasal cavity). Rhinoplasty refers to surgery that changes the outward appearance of the nose. Normally we use this term to mean more cosmetic changes, but "functional rhinoplasty" can be done to produce improved airflow. This can involve treating narrowed internal or... more

What's Recommended for a Nose That Impedes Airflow: Septoplasty or Rhinoplasty?

RHINOPLASTY refers to the group of procedures which change the structure and appearance of the nose. SEPTOPLASTY refers to the group of operations which change the structure of the septum, the rigid wall between the two airways of the nose. Difficulty breathing is often related toeither allergies and or structural issues involving the septum, inner nasal vale and or the turbinates, structures on the side wall of the mid-nose. To improve breathing the surgeon has to... more

Septoplasty and rhinoplasty

Nasal airway obstruction can be due to one or more of the following: septal deviation, enlarged turbinates, engorged or hypertrophic nasal mucosa, masses within the nose such as polyps or external or internal nasal valve collapse. The treatment then is dependent on the root cause of the obstruction. If it is only septal deviation the only recommended procedure is septoplasty unless some cosmetic changes are desired at the same time. My response to your question/post does not represent... more

Septoplasty or rhinoplasty for airway problems?

Actually, this is just a question of semantics! Rhinoplasty is "surgery of the nose" and this has many parts, some or all of which may be included in any specific nose operation for an individual patient's concerns. This CAN include septal or turbinate surgery to improve breathing, but the term "Rhinoplasty" itself is a general one. Many surgeons, myself included, will add specific terms to further explain the exact steps in our operative procedures. Septoplasty,... more

Septoplasty or rhinoplasty to improve breathing

Maybe both! The archetecture of the bones and cartilages that make up the external appearance may also cause airway obstruction, Septoplasty can be combined with rhinoplasty, or they can be done separately.

Purpose of Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty

For breathing issues, typically a septoplasty and/or a reduction in the turbinates is performed. These surgeries will typically not impact the appearance of your nose. A rhinoplasty is to change the outward appearance of your nose. There may be an impact on your breathing, but typically there is not. Rarely, some patients with a particular type of breathing disorder will require a rhinoplasty to address breathing.

Improving nasal airflow; Rhinoplasty vs Septoplasty!

As you've probably read below, Rhinoplasty surgery deals mainly with the cosmetic appearance of the nose (the outside of the nose). To correct airway issues, three things should be considered: The shape and position of the septum, the patency of the internal nasal valves and the size of the inferior turbinates. A Septoplasty corrects deformities of the septum inside the nose. Cartilage spreader grafts add support to the internal nasal valve and Partial Inferior Turbinectomies may be... more

Breathing difficulties what surgery ?

Rhinoplasty, septoplasty or both maybe needed to treat the breathing difficulty. It depends on the cause of the impending airflow. The cause could be internal such as a devoted septum or a narrow internal nasal valve or externally due to a narrow nostril each treated by a different procedure. Although rhinoplasty is more common to have for cosmetic reasons. See a board certified surgeon that is experianced with those procedures! Good luck

Septoplasty and rhinoplasty

Septoplasty can improve ariflow in the right candidate. THe other appearance of the nose is often not related to breathing issues.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Improving breathing

Often there are obstructions to normal airflow in the nose. Surgery can correct these. A rhinoplasty is for the cosmetic appearance of the nose and a septoplasty is done to correct a deviated septum causing airway problems. There are other causes of airway difficulties such as enlarged turbinates so you need a proper evaluation before anything is done.