Can a functional rhinoplasty result in an improved cosmetic result also?

At
times, addressing the functional component of the nose may help with nasal aesthetics.
This may include septoplasty and spreader grafts that could straighten out
a crook nose and improve breathing. Other times, cosmetic rhinoplasty can
be performed when correcting nasal function.
You should discuss this with your rhinoplasty specialist.

The short answer is that it is often possible to improve both the appearance of your nose and the functional performance of your nose in one surgical procedure. It is not uncommon for many patients to have improvement in breathing as well as appearance as the outside and inside of your nose are very inter-related. Good luck in your area.

Thank you for your question.The short answer is yes - one can affect the other.  There are a number of different anatomic problems that result in obstruction of nasal airflow, as well as an undesirable appearance.  Certain functional procedures can affect the aesthetic appearance of the nose, and I tell my patients when that is likely to be the case.As an example, septoplasty (straightening the septum - the wall between the two sides of the nose) and turbinoplasty (changing the size and shape of the turbinates on the inside of the nose) should have no impact on the external appearance of the nose, since those structures are inside the nose.  It is sometimes necessary, however, to use grafts, such as spreader grafts or alar batten grafts to improve nasal airflow, and these will definitely affect the outward appearance of the nose.  It is not uncommon for patients to come see me for functional concerns and then find out that the structural problems that led to their poor function are also associated with features that the patient finds undesirable.  In these cases, addressing the functional problem has the added benefit of altering the appearance in a way that is appealing to the patient.Ultimately, you would be best-served by speaking with an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon, ideally an ENT who is also trained in plastic surgery.  That way, you'll be seeing someone who is well-versed in both the functional and aesthetic concerns of the nose and how to address them.Best wishes.

 There are many issues inside the nose that can cause nasal obstruction for which functional nasal surgery can improve airflow.These are a deviated nasal septum, turbinate hypertrophy, valve collapse, vestibular stenosis, allergies and chronic sinusitis.  Each one of these is treated differently with either medications or surgery. Once  you have failed medical management, consideration for surgical management can be entertained. Medical necessity must be documented prior to undergoing any functional surgery. Functional surgery will not change the shape of nose, only improve air flow. A cosmetic rhinoplasty must be paid for by the patient and can change the shape of the nose such as lifting the tip, reducing the dorsal hump, and narrowing the tip  and the bridge. For more information and diagrams about the differences between the 2 procedures, please see the video below

The structure and the anatomy of the nose must be properly addressed and carefully thought of before performing any surgery. Remember , It is as important to breath well as it is to have an attractive nose. You must have a proper evaluation of your nose from both the external as well as internal issues. Once this is done your surgeon will have a carefully planned out operation. It is important to know that a person can breathe perfectly normal prior to rhinoplasty and after cosmetic changes can have difficulty breathing. That is why you must need an experienced surgeon to perform this operation who has expertise in rhinoplasty 

Displacement and deviation of the support by the nasal bones, external cartilages (nasal tip and profile defining), and septum potentially can result in both undesirable appearance and breathing problems  The inherited appearance of the nose  can also be modified at the same time as a rhinoplasty or rhinoseptoplasty in order to achieve a cosmetic improvement.  It is best to correct the airway problems and the cosmetic improvement at the same time. At our hospital, if insurance provides benefits for correction of a deviated septum, but not the rhinoplasty, then the hospital and anesthesiologists permit payment of the cosmetic, self-payment separately by the patient. Experienced rhinoplasty surgeons will be able to do both components for improvement. At the time of your consultation your surgeon will know what medical history, diagnostic studies, photographs, and findings on physical examination of the nose will be needed to request pre-authorization from your insurance company. Seek out a board certified plastic surgeon or otolaryngologist (ENT) who has experience in both cosmetic and reconstructive nasal surgery.

If a patient with functional problems also has cosmetic issues that bother them it is foolish not to correct everything during the same procedure. Even if a patient is not concerned about their appearance sometimes cosmetic changes are necessary. For example, straightening the crooked nose to correct breathing problems will also improve the appearance.