Nasal Septorhinoplasty

What is a septorhinoplasty ?

A nasal septorhinoplasty is a surgery that changes the appearance of your nose and helps to let air pass more easily through your nose. This includes straightening your septum (septoplasty), shrinking your turbinates (normal outpouchings in the nose that can block full airflow), placing grafts to widen your nostrils, and/or changing the shape of your nasal bones.

When is surgery recommended?

A doctor may recommend this surgery if you want to help treat breathing problems and change the appearance of your nose at the same time.

What should I expect from surgery?

You will be asleep for the surgery. Your surgeon may go through your nose with a camera and make cuts inside your nostrils or your surgeon may make a small cut across the skin at the bottom of your nose (in the middle where your nostrils meet) to expose the structures of your nose under your skin. Your surgeon will then sculpt the bone and cartilage of your nose to the desired shape and straighten your septum (the middle of your nose) to help you breathe more easily. In some cases, your surgeon will take tissue (cartilage) from your septum, ear or rib. Your surgeon may leave plastic splints or packing in your nose and stitches on the skin at the bottom of the nose. Sometimes the packing and stitches need to be removed after surgery in the clinic.

What are the risks?

Risks include infection, scarring of your nose, nosebleeds, a hole in your septum, and some continued nasal blockage. In some cases, you may not be satisfied with the appearance of your nose and may need another procedure to fix this.

What should I expect after surgery?

You may go home on the same day. Some patients experience oozing of blood from their nose for several days after surgery. Some bruising around the eyes and swelling of the nose are normal and fade within 7-10 days. Breathing through your nose may be difficult initially but should improve overtime as the swelling goes down. For a short time, you might experience puffiness, a nose-ache or a headache. Most patients use pain medication for 3-4 days and return to work in about 1 week after surgery. If you wear glasses, you might need to tape them to your forehead for up to 4 weeks because of the swelling.