Is there a risk of developing Empty Nose Syndrome after a rhinoplasty (without septoplasty/turbinate reduction)?

Empty nose syndrome is rare even after turbinectomy. If you are not having tubinectomy your risk of empty nose is extremely low

This seems highly unlikely if the turbinates were untouched. Empty nose syndrome is due to over aggressive reduction of the turbinates, which function to warm, humidify, and regulate nasal airflow. They contain airflow receptors on their lining and if they are over reduced, although air will flow through the nose, the patient will not be able to sense it. This is quite rare nowadays as surgeons recognize how important the turbinates are but if it does happen there is little that can be done to help it.

This is very rare condition that is not yet well defined as a medical condition. To my knowledge, there is no close relation with routine rhinoplasty; it seem to be more related to extensive turbinectomy, septoplasty, repeated surgery, etc. Hope this helps.

Empty nose syndrome after rhinoplasty: I have never had a case of empty nose syndrome after a rhinoplasty, nor have I ever heard of a patient developing empty nose syndrome after a standard rhinoplasty without septal work or turbinate reduction. I can’t imagine how or why that would occur.

It is impossible do you get empty nose syndrome from rhinoplasty procedure. Empty nose syndrome is when too much turbinate tissue has been removed inside the back of the nose. Empty nose syndrome does not occur with the septoplasty either.

Having performed several thousand rhinoplasties, an Empty Nose Syndrome would be highly umlikely without a septoplasty and turbinate surgery.

I would suggest that you find a surgeon certified by the American Board of American Plastic Surgery and one who is ideally a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) that you trust and are comfortable with. You should discuss your concerns with that surgeon in person.

Robert Singer, M.D., FACS

La Jolla, California