Is Rhinoplasty more complicated after having Septoplasty?

Septoplasty will have no bearing on a rhinoplasty procedure unless septal cartilage is needed to reconstruct the nose and there is none left. This will make the rhinoplasty much more difficult. If this is a simple reductive rhinoplasty whereby the hump is removed and the bridge is narrowed and the tip is... more

 In the ideal world, you should have both the rhinoplasty and septoplasty performed at the same time.  When a septoplasty is performed first, a portion of the septum is removed to improve the air passages.  If later the dorsum is lowered during the rhinoplasty, there is a possibility that the... more

Yes, it's more difficult. A big difference in what you're reading and what you have is that you've only had the septum worked on. The rest of the nose may be completely virgin tissue. It's up to your plastic surgeon to discern this by reading your septoplasty operative note. Remember to... more

It may make the rhinoplasty a bit more difficult it may not.  It just depends on what you need done during the rhinoplasty.  If grafts are needed then there may not be enought grafts to perform the rhinoplasty in a way that is needed.  Then the options may be to use grafts from other areas such... more

 If it is just a cosmetic rhinoplasty it should be ok. However, if you need grafts for spreader purposes or for the tip or columella, the donor sites may be limited if the septoplasty included removal of some of the septum.

 If only the septum was done you should wait 6 months. The rhinoplasty is not really considered a revision in your case if only the septum was done--it is like a primary. Usually, there is enough cartilage present in the septum if needed.

Alexander, septoplasty is a common nasal surgery and we freqeuntly are asked to do rhinoplasties later on in life on these patients. The critical issue that you already alluded to is cartilage. Many surgeons remove a substantial amount when performing a septoplasty, a surgery also called submucous resection... more

 With the nose, more so than many parts of the body, secondary operations are more difficult.  This is due to scar tissue and tissue changes that occur after the primary or first surgery.  It would have been best to have both the rhinoplasty and the septoplasty done at the same time.  Good... more

There are a couple of important considerations if a patient has had a prior septoplasty and is now considering a hump reduction. During a septoplasty, care is usually taken to preserve a good "dorsal strut" when resecting deviated cartilage. This means that the surgeon tries to preserve a good strip... more

You're exactally right. Septal cartilage is routinely used to support, and reshape the appearance of your nasal tip. Profile-bump removal will not be affected, but tip modification might. You should consult a qualified, experienced Rhinoplasty surgeon for a consultation. If you post / email me photos, I'll be... more