Rhinoplasty Necessary to Correct Breathing Problems?

asked 2 years ago by soverance24 in illinois
Latest answer by William Portuese, MD
Question viewed 753 times
Tags: nose, nostrils, crooked, breathing, septum

Hi doctors, I injured my nose a few years ago and although the X-ray did not show any signs of a fracture, I definitely had my septum knocked out of place and my external appearance did become slightly more crooked afterwards.

Since then I've had 2 septoplasty surgeries over the past 2 years. I still have trouble breathing through my left nostril. It feels like my right nostril is always more open than the left. Do I need a rhinoplasty to fix this? And is rhinoplasty even an option at this point? Thank you.

10 answers to Rhinoplasty Necessary to Correct Breathing Problems?

See a revision rhinoplasty specialist

The most important issue is the diagnosis of what the problem is after having 2 prior operations. If the external nose is not deviated a rhinoplasty is not usually needed. See an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon and let him guide you as to your next procedure.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Septoplasty to correct breathing problems

Septoplasty is only one of many surgical modalities to correct breathing problems. There are many other proceedures such as spreader grafts, turbinoplasties and other anatomical corrections which can improve nasal airway dynamics. An in depth consultation by an experienced practitioner is in order.

Barry H. Dolich, MD
Bronx Plastic Surgeon

Nasal surgery to correct breathing problems

Just because the x-ray did not show signs of fracture, that does not mean the nose was not broken. Very commonly what occurs is the upper lateral cartilages fracture off the nasal bones, dislocate, and push down inward into the airway creating valve collapse and vestibular stenosis. It is worsened on inspiration. In addition, the septum can be knocked out of place becoming deviated and crooked. Septoplasty surgery is typically performed to improve the deviated or fractured septum. A... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Have a thorough nasal exam for breathing problems post Rhinoplasty

If there is no visual nasal deformity, a rhinoplasty is probably not necessary. A thorough nasal exam should be done to accurately determine the cause of your obstruction. Another surgery may not sound appealing, but may be your best option. I suggest getting more than one opinion.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Functional Rhinoplasty for Complex Nasal Obstruction

Individuals who suffer from persistant nasal obstruction after septoplasty, nasal fracture, or cosmetic rhinoplasty may benefit from a Functional Rhinoplasty, the nasal operation that treats complex nasal obstruction. There are several anatomic reasons for nasal obstruction, and certainly a deviated septum is one of them. Fixing it, however, doesn't always guarantee improved breathing, especially if you have narrow nasal valves that may have been aggravated by the trauma. It is quite... more

Randolph Capone, MD
Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.baltimorefaces.com

Rhinoplasty to correct breathing problems after 2 Septal operations

"It feels like my right nostril is always more open than the left." Has it been this way after the first septum operation/ Did the second septal operation make it better? If so - when did things get worse again? Your left nostril block may be real or it may feel like an obstruction. Several factors could contribute to the feeling of a block; Septal collapse / re curvature, enlarged turbinates (which may not have been addressed the first two times), OVER resection of the turbinate... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Nasal Obstruction, septoplasty, rhinoplasty and breathing

There are a variety of reasons why you may have an obstruction. This may be mechanical and due to physical obstruction or due to physiologic reasons such as allergies. What complicates the matter is that actual measurements of air flow (called rhinometry) do not always correlate with subjective symptoms of obstruction. Rhinoplasty does not generally improve breathing it and of itself and can in some instances aggravate nasal obstruction. Specific maneuvers to "open the airway" are... more

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Nasal Breathing Problems

Hi Sov, Rhinoplasty is not indicated to fix internal breathing problems, although sometimes the placement of a "spreader" graft in the internal valve area of the nose improves breathing. To improve your breathing, first you must be examined to get a diagnosis of what's the cause of your obstructive breathing. Consider your inferior nasal turbinates which can be treated with a simple office procedure called Somnoplasty which uses radiofrequency energy to heat and shrink excessive... more

Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Diagnosis: Most Important Part of Nasal Issues

The most important step in treating nasal obstruction is diagnosis. Once you know what is the cause of the obstruction, treatment is a lot easier. In your care here are the possibilities. 1. Septum has become crooked again. 2. Its not the septum but turbinate glands are swollen. These can respond well to nasal steroid sprays and shrink and let you breathe again. If that does not work then turbinate surgery will help. 3. Nasal valve issues: The area between the side walls on the nose where... more

Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon

Nasal breathing can be improved for most patients without rhinoplasty

As I tell most of my patients who have breathing difficulties from a deviated septum, breathing can be improved without any external changes to the nose. That is if the problem is only from a deviated septum. Sometimes, which may be your case, the nasal valve can be affected. This is when the nose is traumatized, not only is the septum inside knocked off center but the support of the mid portion of the external nose is also changed. This area is supported by the upper lateral cartilages... more