Should a Rhinoplasty or Septoplasty Surgeon Also Be an ENT Doctor?

The topic and operation "rhinoplasty" (nose job) is quite complex. There are different schools of thought. A lot of rhinoplasty techniques weaken the structural framework of the nose, possibly leading to cosmetic and functional problems of the nose in the long-run. It is therefore essential that the nose is being supported structurally with cartilage grafts (septum, ear, or rib), with the septum being by far the most favorable donor site. Ear or rib cartilage is typically only utilized if septal cartilage is insufficient or not present at all due to prior surgery, trauma, cocaine use, etc. It is therefore commonly recommended that a septoplasty is performed in conjunction with a rhinoplasty, not only to straighten the septum and thereby improve nasal breathing, but also to utilize the harvested septal cartilage to stabilize the nose to prevent pinching and collapsing from occurring in the long-term. While all Facial Plastic Surgeons have a background in ENT and hence are trained and equipped to perform septoplasties, not all Plastic Surgeons perform septoplasties, although many do. Therefore, instead of focusing on the specialty (Plastic Surgery vs. Facial Plastic Surgery), I would have a frank conversation with the surgeon(s) you consider whether or not he or she performs septoplasties. Also, you should look at pre-OP and post-OP photos of actual patients and decide if you like the surgeon's aesthetic preferences. And furthermore, you need to be comfortable with and confident in your surgeon! Whichever surgeon you choose, if no nasal endoscopy is performed during your consultation, chances are that this surgeon does not perform many (if any) septoplasties, as the entire septum cannot be evaluated unless a nasal endoscopy is performed in the office. At the end of the day, there are many opinions and preferences among rhinoplasty surgeons, and there is no right or wrong way. The consensus among the surgeons seems to be, though, that some sort of structural grafting is necessary for a successful rhinoplasty operation. Whether or not such is performed by a Plastic or Facial Plastic Surgeon is secondary. Best wishes!

Choosing a qualified surgeon is the most important decision you can make when deciding to under go nasal surgery because rhinoplasty is considered the most diffcult procedure in cosmetic surgery. Here are some tips for choosing a the right surgeon:

Choose a Rhinoplasty Specialist: First and foremost, choose an surgeon who specializes in nasal surgery. Your surgeon should be equally experienced at correcting both cosmetic problems and functional problems (such as a deviated septum).


Research Your Doctors Credentials: Your surgeon should be Board Certified in either Facial Plastics/Otolaryngology (ENT) or Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. It is important, however, to know that not all ENTs or Plastic Surgeons routinely perform rhinoplasty. It is important to find one who does. Several resources that can help you find a surgeon include the AAFPRS (http://aafprs.org) and ASAPS (http://surgery.org).


View the Surgeon's Rhinoplasty Before & After Results. Most rhinoplasty surgeons maintain a portfolio of examples of their results that compare before and after photos, and many qualified rhinoplasty surgeons have a "Results Gallery" on their websites. You can tell a lot about your potential results by looking at their previous work.


Ask to See Simulated Results. Your rhinoplasty surgeon should analyze your pre-operative photographs with you and be able to show you graphically their intended results. Recently, new technology is allowing doctors and patients to view simulated results in 3D.

I think either type of surgeon can give you a nice result-- as long as the training and qualifications are there, I think you are at a good starting point. Ask lots of questions, see before and after photos and talk to some of their former patients-- this will give you the best chance at a positive result.