Spreader grafts & internal nasal valve collapse after minor bump to the face?

Hello and thank you for your question. Addressing breathing issues is actually one of the most common reasons people seek out and undergo a rhinoplasty. An open rhinoplasty can best address both the functional issues and any potential aesthetic concerns with your nose. I would be able to open up and reinforce your internal and external nasal valves (with multiple grafts, including spreader grafts) to improve the airflow through your nose! I rarely perform turbinate reduction, since I feel spreader grafts (in the right hands) are much more effective at improving airflow- and when created and placed properly, they do not widen the nose. Unfortunately, most surgeons just aren't able to do them properly and they end up creating wider noses.

This truly a surgery of millimeters- and whether you're looking for a minor adjustment or a major transformation, it requires exceptional surgical skill to achieve functional and natural-looking results! Because your nose is the DEFINING feature of your face- I would only recommend seeing a surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty procedures, and who has significant training and experience performing these surgeries. I actually trained under one of the world leading rhinoplasty experts (who performs 1,000+ nosejobs annually).

I recommend for you to setup a formal consultation with me (or another plastic surgeon who is extremely comfortable with rhinoplasties) to thoroughly discuss your surgical goals, undergo a formal examination, evaluate your options, and develop a personalized plan just for you. I hope this helps!

Dr. Donald Groves
Aesthetic Plastic Surgeon

If you spray a topical decongestant in your nose on the side that is obstructed, that would mimic the effects of a turbinate reduction. Since that would not change the appearance of your nose, and would be minimal inconvenience and downtime, a trial with a topical decongestant for several days may be helpful. Wishing you well moving forward! Sincerely, Dr. Joseph

If you just had internal nasal work, such as a turbinate reduction procedure, you are likely to have a fair amount of improvement in your breathing. I usually say you might get like a good maybe 50-60% improvement from that alone. That might be enough for you. However, we also usually say if you want the "maximum" improvement, that would involve treating your nasal valves as well. Spreader grafts can widen your nose but you could either ask for thinner spreaders and/or recessed spreaders, which will make less of an impact on the width of the nose. At worst, you could always do the turbinates first and then only if it's not enough improvement go for the other as they won't impact each other.

The turbinate can be reduced easily in one setting. If that does not solve your problem then you have an internal nasal valve collapse on one side and that will be repaired by a cartilage graft. The turbinate will not cosmetically change the nose but the cartilage graft may.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Do the turbinectomy only and see how it works. I do turbinectomies routinely and they work great. I’m not a big believe in spreader grafts. I think they are overused and unnecessary in many cases