Septorhinoplasty: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Septorhinoplasty is a surgical procedure done on the nose involving two procedures called Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty. In rhinoplasty, the surgery is usually done for cosmetic or functional reasons like reshaping of the nose. In senoplasty, the surgery is performed to correct a deviated septum to restore normal breathing functions.

A septorhinoplasty is done for both- to reshape the nose so it’s cosmetically more pleasing and in balance with the rest of the face and to improve breathing by correcting your deviated septum that deviated due to some trauma, injury, disease or sometimes a previous surgery. The naval septum is the narrow wall of tissue that separates your nostrils (hole opening of the nose). With a deviated septum, the septum wall inside your nose is crooked and blocks some air passing through. However, having some deviation or crookedness is common but severity leads to blockage on one side of the nose and reduce airflow, causing difficulty in breathing. The additional exposure of a deviated septum to the drying effect of airflow may lead to crusting or even bleeding.

By undergoing septorhinoplasty you can reap benefits like improving the appearance of a crooked nose or relieving nasal blockages to improve breathing, corrects the bent/deviated septum-thus improving the shape, improves your snoring and sleep apnea, changes the shape of the nose and creates balance with rest of the facial features and achieves both cosmetic and functional improvement.

Septorhinoplasty is generally performed under local anesthesia and sedation or general anesthesia, which depends upon the procedure. It is done in an out-patient basis, so you will likely to go home the same day. Surgery is usually preceded by a thorough medical and physical examination. Your doctor may take photographs of your nose from different angles. Your surgery will take about 21/2 hours but it can vary depending upon the procedure whether you are having a single or combination of procedures. A simple procedure usually takes only 45 minutes where as a complex procedure may take 3 or more hours to perform.

A nose job is usually done as an outpatient basis. You will be given local or general anesthesia. In local anesthesia you will be awake but the portion around your nose will be numbed. During the operation, the surgeon makes a cut within the nostrils. However, in rare cases, the doctor may make cuts across the base of the nose. The surgeon then reshapes the inner bone and cartilage to produce a more pleasing appearance.

In Septoplasty, avoid taking medications before the surgery as it will lead to bleeding. A small cut is made inside the nose. Generally the nasal mucosa is lifted up and the cartilage or bone obstructing the airway is either removed or repositioned or trimmed. The incision is closed with absorbable suture. Soft silicone splints are inserted inside each nostril to support the septum. To prevent post-operative bleeding, your doctor may place bandage-like material in your nose. The final result will be visible after a few weeks when the bruising and swelling is gone.

Anyone having difficulty in breathing or wanting to enhance their facial features are eligible for septorhinoplasty procedure. However, both men and women have to be at least 16 years of age to undergo the procedure.

People not facing difficulty in breathing or does not want alter their facial features and are happy about their appearence is not eligible for septorhinoplasty.

Septorhinoplasty carries some risk and side effects which can be due to surgery or a reaction to anesthesia. The incisions do result in scar that goes away after a few weeks.

Side effects of septoplasty include persistence in previous symptoms, such as nasal obstruction, excessive bleeding, a change in the shape of your nose, an opening in the septum (septal perforation), decrease in the sense of smell, a collection of blood in the nasal space that would need to be drained (septal hematoma) and temporary numb sensation by the upper gum or teeth. These complications may require additional surgery by your doctor.

However, if you are having rhinoplasty, then you may experience some bruising and swelling around your nose and eyes.

After undergoing a septorhinoplasty, you will be given specific instructions on what to do and what not to do. Firstly, do not drive immediately after a septorhinoplasty. It’s better to get somebody to drive you home. Other don’ts include avoiding activities like not letting anyone o anything bump your nose, do not blow your nose, do not do any strenuous activities like swimming and do not wear clothing that are too tight as pulling it over your head injure your nose incision.

There will be bathing and washing restrictions like don’t touch or get your nose dressing wet when bathing, try and avoid washing your hair as it may lead to wetting your nose dressing and also try bath soaks instead of showers. Also limit your facial movements like talking, laughing, grinning or chewing less as it may put pressure on your nose. Do not wear your glasses for a few weeks.

The dos include try and rinse your nasal cavity to prevent infection and also change your dressing if it gets wet. Try to keep the cast or splint dry while bathing. Use ice packs to reduce swelling and pain around the wound area. Make sure to rest and sleep on two pillows to position your head on an elevated level. Also try to avoid bending over and sitting in the sun for too long. Generally within 3 weeks you will be able to exercise and do other things but taking it slow may help in the healing process.

The period of recovery will usually depend on the type of surgery you had. A septoplasty will usually take three to six months to recover fully. However, it can also take one year to breath normally. While rhinoplasty usually take two weeks to recover.

Septorhinoplasty is an exepensive affair in India. Septoplasty is more common and usually starts at rs.20,000 and rhinoplasty is more uncommon and more costly. Rhinoplasty procedures usually starts at Rs.2,00,000.

Septorhinoplasty has good outcomes which depend on the type procedure you are undergoing. Both the procedures of septoplasty and rhinoplasty can take up to six months to recover. However, in case of septoplasty or deviated septum and rhinoplasty, you may require additional surgery to treat any complications or fix the appearance of the nose if you are unhappy about the outcome.

There are no atlernative procedure to septorhinoplasty.