Rhinoplasty is one of the few plastic surgeries that can be used for both aesthetic and medical reasons. If you’re having difficulty breathing because of some functional deformity in your nose, you need to get functional nasal surgery or septoplasty.
A septoplasty is a procedure that fixes a deviated septum. The septum is a structure made of cartilage and bone that divides the nasal passages into two.
A majority of Americans have some degree of deviation within their septum, leading to functional consequences. In most cases, a deviated septum is due to genetic factors, but it may also be from a history of nasal trauma.
If you have a deviated septum, a septoplasty will definitely help you. You might experience any of the following signs:
While a deviated septum is the most common cause of nasal obstruction, a number of other factors must be considered when evaluating patients having a hard time breathing through their noses.
The inferior turbinates are shelves of bone inside each nasal passage covered by mucous membranes. They humidify and filter airflow through the nose.
During the “nasal cycle,” it’s normal for turbinates to swell, usually alternating between sides. As a result, some patients complain of nasal obstruction alternating between sides. Allergies or genetic factors can also cause swelling.
A turbinate reduction is a procedure commonly performed with a septoplasty to open the nasal passages.
One of the most common causes of nasal obstruction is the collapse of the nasal valve. The nasal valve is the narrowest portion of the nasal passages.
A common sign of nasal valve obstruction is the collapse of the nostril when inhaling deeply but remains open during normal breathing.Common causes of nasal valve collapse include weak nasal cartilages and prior aggressive surgery.Correction of nasal valve collapse is an important portion of rhinoplasty and must be factored in when undergoing cosmetic changes. Cartilage grafting is often taken from the septum to open the airway and provide structural support to the nasal valves.
A septoplasty involves straightening a crooked septum to correct nasal obstruction. While this is commonly done from an incision inside the nose, an open septoplasty is sometimes necessary to correct a deviated septum near the front or top of the nose.
When a septoplasty is combined with changing the nose’s external appearance, this is called a septorhinoplasty. A cosmetic rhinoplasty is routinely combined with a septoplasty to improve the airway and use cartilage grafts from the septum.
Dr. Razfar is board-certified in both facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat). He has vast experience in both cosmetic and functional nasal surgery. He often combines these procedures to give patients a beautiful nose that functions well.
When seeking a cosmetic rhinoplasty surgeon, it is important to seek someone who also has experience in functional nasal surgery.
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