SMR vs Septoplasty? What are the differences? (Photo)

Question

I was looking at my op report and although it is labeled as “septoplasty”, the procedure mirrors that of SMR. Among other numerous red flags, I was under the impression that the breathing part of surgery would be straightening of the septum. That is how it was described to me. Not removal. And certainly not JUST removal with no reconstruction using the excised cartilage. Can you please explain the differences so I can figure out what happened to me? SMR seems to prove detrimental to revision.

Richard Mark Winters, MD · Answer

sadly, the terms are often used interchangeably .... you are correct in that in most surgeons' minds, a septoplasty entails some sort of septal reconstruction (usually with spreader, splinting or extension grafting), while submucous resection is simply removal of part of the septal cartilage.... sometimes when only the central septum is obstructing, SMR is enough but I rarely find this to be the case.... most septal deviation is more complicated (including dorsal and caudal) and often associated with narrowed internal nasal valves which are often accompanied by weak upper lateral cartilages .... this sometimes requires additional lateral crural strut grafting

sadly, destructive maneuvers like 'taking out the bump' at the time of SMR worsen breathing problems and are a common reason people present to me for revision rhinoplasty

good luck....

Gurkan Kayabasoglu, MD · Answer

Hello,In a Septoplasty plasty operation  dissection is limited selective most of cartilage preserved, caudal dislocation is corrected.For SMR it is said that dissection is extensive most of the cartilage removed, caudal dislocation is not corrected. They are addressed both to improve the quality of breathing. However, expert and profesional hands should performed to reach the aimed goals.Kind Regards,

Jesse E. Smith, MD, FACS · Answer

A septoplasty involves making an incision inside your nose along the middle cartilaginous area, or the septum and removing the deviated portions of the cartilage to make both nostrils more equal and to allow air to move more easily through the nasal passage. SMR, or submucous resection, also opens up the nasal passageways to make breathing easier. This usually involves using an instrument to outfracture, or push out, the inferior turbinates. Electrocautery may also be used to decrease the bulk of the inferior turbinates if they are hypertrophic or obstructing the airway.

SMR vs Septoplasty? What are the differences? (Photo)

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SMR vs Septoplasty? What are the differences? (Photo)

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