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Can rhinoplasty cause constant sinus infections after the surgery? I didn't have them before.

I had rhinoplasty/septoplasty 1.5 years ago. My nose size was reduced and my breathing worsen since the surgery. I started getting colds/sinus infections every 2 months sometimes every month. First I thought it was work stress related. But now I am thinking there is something wrong with my nose. I didn’t get colds that often before. Can rhinoplasty cause constant sinus infections?

Doctor Answers 4

Can rhinoplasty cause sinus problems?

October 5th, 2016
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Yes, any surgery can affect your body i different ways. Since the size of the nose is smaller with a rhinoplasty, the inside passage are also smaller which may cause some blockage. I tell my patients that many times their noses will run more or they will be drier but definitely changed. That is why Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion had conservative rhinoplasties, just basically removing the humps to try and obviate any problems with their singing!

Edward J. Domanskis, MD
October 5th, 2016

Can rhinoplasty cause sinus problems?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Yes, any surgery can affect your body i different ways. Since the size of the nose is smaller with a rhinoplasty, the inside passage are also smaller which may cause some blockage. I tell my patients that many times their noses will run more or they will be drier but definitely changed. That is why Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion had conservative rhinoplasties, just basically removing the humps to try and obviate any problems with their singing!

Edward J. Domanskis, MD

Sinusitis and rhino

September 29th, 2016
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A rhinoplasty cannot really cause sinusitis post surgery so any relation is purely coincidental this far down the track in my opinion 

Andrew L. Greensmith, MBChB, FRACS
September 29th, 2016

Sinusitis and rhino

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A rhinoplasty cannot really cause sinusitis post surgery so any relation is purely coincidental this far down the track in my opinion 

Andrew L. Greensmith, MBChB, FRACS

Sinus Infections After Septorhinoplasty

September 29th, 2016
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Sinus infections after septorhinoplasty may or may not be related to your surgery, and could be coincidental.  You would need a thorough nasal examination and a CT scan of the sinuses to figure this out.  You also mentioned breathing problems, which can be a side effect after rhinoplasty.  To determine this, I recommend seeing a facial plastic surgeon who also does sinus surgery. He or she would be able to deal with both problems.  Best of luck. 

Raj P. TerKonda, MD, FACS
September 29th, 2016

Sinus Infections After Septorhinoplasty

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Sinus infections after septorhinoplasty may or may not be related to your surgery, and could be coincidental.  You would need a thorough nasal examination and a CT scan of the sinuses to figure this out.  You also mentioned breathing problems, which can be a side effect after rhinoplasty.  To determine this, I recommend seeing a facial plastic surgeon who also does sinus surgery. He or she would be able to deal with both problems.  Best of luck. 

Raj P. TerKonda, MD, FACS

Sinus infections

September 28th, 2016
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Thank you for the question and the simple answer is YES but an examination is needed to see if surgery to your nose is now contributing to difficulty breathing and sinus infections.  so see your surgeon or other expert in the area.


Dr. Corbin

Web reference: http://www.noseexpert.com

Frederic H. Corbin, MD
September 28th, 2016

Sinus infections

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}

Thank you for the question and the simple answer is YES but an examination is needed to see if surgery to your nose is now contributing to difficulty breathing and sinus infections.  so see your surgeon or other expert in the area.


Dr. Corbin

Learn more: http://www.noseexpert.com

Frederic H. Corbin, MD

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.