Will a Septoplasty straighten my nose from outside? (photo)

Oftentimes a septoplasty will fully correct a nose which is deviated due to a septal issue. Sometimes we have to use some of the removed septal cartilage to apply small spreader grafts between the cartilages to get perfect symmetry. This can all be done at the same operation.

Hello,Thank you for posting this intelligent question.   The straightforward answer is that a septoplasy performed alone will not typically straighten a nose that also has an external nasal deformity (aka, a crooked nose).   If a person has a deviated nasal septum as well as an external nasal deformity, it will usually be necessary to also undergo a rhinoplasty to straighten the entire nasal complex. A septoplasty surgery is typically performed to improve nasal breathing. The maneuvers required to straighten a nasal septum that will result in better breathing does not require that the entire nasal pyramid be straight.   The nasal bones and frontal process of the maxilla are other anatomical areas that many times are also “crooked” or asymmetrical that present as an external nasal deformity or “off-center” nose. If the nasal bones are also crooked they too will need to be fractured in order to straighten the entire nasal pyramid. You may also require various cartilage grafts placed strategically to obtain a straight nose.  Grafting is not necessarily a part of a typical insurance paid septoplasty procedure.  You will almost definitely require a Septorhinoplasty and not just a septoplasty if your goal is to have a straight outer nasal appearance.   I hope that my answer has provided you with useful information order to understand your situation and to answer your question appropriately.   If you have any additional questions please feel free to reach out to me anytime.Best regards,Dr  Mitchell

Hi Sananaraja,That is n interesting and a common question asked in my NoseClinic. The crux of the matter is if the nasal septum alone is deviated or if there is bony deviation too. At a detailed level I would study the face especially the eyes the lips and how the nose sits vertically between these.