What is functional septorhinoplasty?

Hello Eli85,Thanks for your question.Functional septorhinoplasty is performed to improve airway patency and airflow. Some patients have deviation of their septum and/or inferior turbinate hypertrophy.  Deviation of the septum changes laminar airflow into disrupted airflow, giving a sensation of blockage in one or both nostrils.  Inferior turbinate hypertrophy means that small airwarming and cleaning structures in the nose enlarge in response to environmental exposures, resulting in blockade at the interior nasal valve or collapse at the internal nasal valve.Septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction/outfracture open up the airways.Insurance will often pay for both procedures, especially if a patient has failed conservative medical management of their nasal obstruction.I hope this was helpful.Dr. Shah

 A functional septorhinoplasty is performed only to improve airflow through the nose, once medical necessity has been documented at the time of examination and consultation. This usually involves a septoplasty to improve airflow in the back of the nose and cartilage grafting techniques to help with breathing issues only. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is performed to change the shape of the nose, and must be paid for by the patient.  For more information and diagrams describing the differences between a septoplasty and a rhinoplasty, please see the link and the video below

Thank you for your question.  Functional work on the nose is aimed at improving inspiration or breathing.  Septorhinoplasty is a term referring to surgery on both the septum (the wall between the left and right sides of the nose) and outer structure of the nose (nasal bones, high septum, upper and lower cartilages.  The term functional is used to differentiate it from cosmetic rhinoplasty which is aimed at improving the appearance of the nose.  Generally insurance covers functional work.  Cosmetic work is paid out of pocket.  It is not uncommon to combine functional an cosmetic work into the same procedure where the patient pays for the cosmetic work and insurance is billed for the functional work.