What professional doctor should be first choice for the nasal deviated septum surgery, Plastic Surgeon or ENT specialist?

You will want a Board Certified Facial Cosmetic Surgeon as well as having an additional Board Certification in Otolaryngology (ENT).  This uniquely qualifies the Doctor to perform even the most challenging of procedures; requiring 3 dimensional knowledge of anatomy, nasal function, and an artistic eye for beauty.

In regards to your question, a septoplasty operation can be performed by a rhinoplasty expert, either ENT trained alone, ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery Credentialed, or General Surgery and Plastic Surgery Credentialed. The fact that you have additional sinusitis would lead me to recommend an ENT trained specialist.

I don't think it makes a difference if you see an ENT surgeon or plastic surgeon for a septoplasty.  It's more important to find a surgeon who is comfortable with rhinoplasty surgery and understands your goals.  There are good and bad rhinoplasty surgeons in both fields.  

Usually septoplasty is performed by Otolaryngologists (ENT specialists) or Facial Plastic Surgeons (Otolaryngologists with subspecialty training in facial plastic surgery); however, there are a few Plastic Surgeons who perform septoplasty as well.  Nasal airway surgery falls in the "sweet spot" for Otolaryngologists.  It's a big part of their training; nonetheless, there may be a select few Plastic Surgeons who have expertise in septoplasty surgery usually related to their experience in rhinoplasty surgery; hence, it's difficult to generalize and make a blanket statement regarding this.  If you have sinus issues as well, then you'd be better off seeing an Otolaryngologist.  Best of luck.

Dear Compiler;



That is a good
question. When it comes to outside nasal
surgery or cosmetic rhinoplasty, many plastic surgeons certainly can match the
skills of head and neck/ENT/facial plastic surgeons. However, when it comes to the nasal interior, I
think you have to give the edge to the head and neck/ENT specialist. The reason is that correcting deviated
septums is one of the most common procedures done by these specialists. It may or may not be that for the plastic
surgeon, however. The best way to know whether
surgeons with whom you may be consulting can best perform the procedure? Ask!



Yes, this is not
an ENT forum, but this is an important question. Typically, the most experienced surgeons,
when it comes to septal surgery, are the head and neck/ENT specialists and
those who have additional training in facial plastic surgery and are at the top of
the totem pole.That is the doctor I
would look for, frankly.



Do some
homework. Ask questions when you go to
the office. Make sure that the doctor is
comfortable doing nasal surgery, and get several consultations. If the plastic surgeon does not have as much
experience and is not comfortable doing that type of surgery, I am sure he
would tell you. Nobody wants to take on cases
in which they will not be successful.



Finally, I will
put in a good word for my invention, which I think you would be very happy to
have after you have your septoplasty surgery. The invention is
the Kotler
Nasal Airway (KNA)™, designed so
that you can breathe immediately after surgery and don't have to worry about
your nose clogging up if you have nasal packing in your nose. The KNA was designed for patients like you who
want to have a comfortable and safe postoperative experience. Check it out at the website, Kotler Nasal Airway.com



Also, I will put
in another good word, and that is for my two books (listed below) and my website.You will learn a lot by reading the books and
visiting my website. I spend a lot of
time and effort helping educate my patients, and they appreciate it. Take advantage of all this information.



Study hard, do
your homework and take someone with you to consultation, because it is always better
to have one or two extra people for extra ears and eyes to
best understand the issues.



Best wishes,



Robert
Kotler, MD, FACS

Over
4,500 nasal procedures performed

Author,
SECRETS OF A BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC
SURGEON

Author,
THE ESSENTIAL COSMETIC SURGERY COMPANION

Either a qualified ENT or plastic surgeon can handle the septum. That is one that performs rhinoplasty. As for the sinus issues, that should be handled by a sinus specialist usually an ENT.  The two can work together if you want.

compiler, In general I would see an ENT surgeon for septal surgery although I'm sure there are plastic surgeons who would do an excellent job. Just see someone who performs what you are interested in routinely and has so for many years and in general you should do well. Good luck!

To be clear, septoplasty is the operation to straighten a crooked septum (the wall which divides the nose into right and left halves).  This operation does not generally change the shape of the nose.  If you are looking to change the external appearance of the nose, you will be considering a rhinoplasty.  If you do want a rhinoplasty you will want to make sure you seek out a surgeon who is well versed in rhinoplasty (plastics, facial plastics or ENT).You should be able to get good results from a septoplasty performed by either specialty.  However, if you do have chronic sinusitis you might benefit from adjunctive sinus surgery.  Most plastic surgeons do not perform sinus surgery, therefore you would need an ENT or facial plastic surgeon (with ENT core training) to be able to address both problems at the same time.If you're not sure, I would consult with one of both in your area to hear their opinions. Yours in good health, MKB

Your problem sounds more involved that just a deviated septum, with sinus problems as well.  I would start by seeing an ENT with expertise in both sinus and nasal (e.g. septal) problems, which you may have already done.  As with all things, the specialty is less important than the expertise and experience of the surgeon.  It's important that the surgeon sticks with you through the entire recovery process and is willing to refer you to someone else,  if necessary.

Either a Facial Plastic Surgeon or a Plastic Surgeon can fix your deviated septum as long as that doctor is a nasal surgery specialist. It will probably be easier to find a facial plastic surgeon with that experience because they have usually had many years of experience in treating nasal pathology before specializing.