Septorhinoplasty

What is a septorhinoplasty?

The purpose of a septorhinoplasty is to improve the appearance of your nose (rhinoplasty) as well as to improve your breathing through the nose (septoplasty). Hence, it has both, an aesthetic as well as a functional outcome.

What are the benefits of a septorhinoplasty?

The benefits of this surgery are twofold; firstly from an aesthetic perspective, you can change the appearance of your nose to suit your liking. And secondly, from a functional perspective, you can breathe better from both nostrils which further improves your quality of life.

Are there any alternatives to a septorhinoplasty?

In case your nose is blocked because of a deviated septum, you could only go for a septoplasty. However, this would not change the appearance of your nose.

To change the shape of your nose, rhinoplasty is your only option. In cases where patients have a blocked nose because their nasal bones are damaged or crooked, a rhinoplasty (usually with a septoplasty) is the only option that would help improve breathing.

What does the surgery involve?

The surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia and hence the patient does not feel any pain during the procedure. It usually lasts around 1 to 2 hours after which the patient is woken up and taken to their room.

The surgery is performed by making an incision in the inner lining of the nose and hence there are no scars or marks post-operatively. The bent or damaged bone and cartilage would be straightened and placed back in the nose.

In case you want a sharper tip, the surgeon can refine the tip by removing some cartilage and in case you have a hump on the nose, the surgeon can shave it down.
At times, the surgeon may use a bone graft, cartilage graft or an artificial graft to support or rebuild part of your nose.

After the procedure, the surgeon may pack your nose with a cotton bandage to prevent excessive bleeding. Also, a plaster bandage is applied over the nose to ensure proper alignment postoperatively.

What complications can happen?

Some common complications include:
· Pain
· Bleeding
· Local infection on the site
· Redness
· Swelling
· Temporary nasal blockage
· Tiny hole in the septum
· Possible graft rejection (mainly in the case of artificial grafts)

However, it is very important to know that these complications are very rare and utmost care is taken during the pre-operative planning to ensure that none of these complications arises.

Post-Operative Management

Usually, septorhinoplasty patients can leave the same day of the surgery. However, in case your doctor feels you need to be kept under observation, you will be kept overnight and be allowed to leave the next day. The nasal package is usually left in for a day or two after which it is removed. The plaster bandage is removed a week after surgery. This is to ensure that the bones and cartilage heal well and in a straight manner.

Patients can return to work after a week but are advised against carrying out any heavy tasks. This is to ensure proper healing and minimising the risk of complications. Even blowing your nose hard could cause a problem and hence, patients are advised against it.

It usually takes about a month or two for the wound to heal after which patients can return to their normal lives carrying out their daily activities.