Our prime identity is the face and it is the first thing that people tend to notice about us. Harmonious proportion amongst facial features enhances one’s overall appearance.
Some people may be unhappy with the natural shape of their nose or may suffer from a nasal deformity from birth, trauma or disease. Some may also experience nasal blockage or breathing difficulties along with an external nasal deformity. In any of these nasal conditions, you may discuss with your doctor the various treatment options available for correction.
Septoplasty vs rhinoplasty. Both septoplasty and rhinoplasty are surgical procedures performed on the nose. Rhinoplasty modifies the outer shape of the nose to mainly improve its aesthetic appearance and is often considered a cosmetic surgery. Septoplasty on the other hand, corrects deformities of the internal nasal structure to treat issues such as difficulty in breathing and is considered a functional surgery.
Both the procedures complement each other and are often performed simultaneously, to improve the shape and function of the nose. For example, a patient suffering from external nasal deformity like a crooked nose may also have breathing difficulty due to a deviated nasal septum, in this case both these problems can be resolved by performing a septoplasty along with a rhinoplasty.
RECON - Centre for Facial Cosmetic Surgery is located in Gurgaon and offers all types of nasal surgeries to their patients. We are here to assist you in enhancing not only the shape of the nose, but also in improving its function. We make sure that your nose surgery results are natural and suit your face.
For details on septoplasty vs rhinoplasty, you can schedule a consultation with our expert, Dr Pragati Shubha at Recon. This will help you get a better knowledge and understanding of the surgeries.
Table of Contents
Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:
- What is Rhinoplasty?
- What is Septoplasty?
- Rhinoseptoplasty: When you need to improve both nasal function as well as appearance
- Takeaway
- FAQs
1. What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a surgery to reshape the nose. It is commonly known as a nose job.
The Rhinoplasty Surgery in Delhi makes changes to the structure of the outer nose and focuses on modifying its external appearance. The structures modified by rhinoplasty include the nasal bone (upper 1/3rd of nose), nasal cartilages (lower 2/3rd of nose) and nasal skin.
Rhinoplasty is done to:
- Straighten a crooked nose
- Reduce the size of the nose
- Change the width of the nasal bridge
- Improve the symmetry of the nose
- Improve the size or shape of the nose tip
- Correct a hump or depression on the bridge
A customised treatment plan is prepared considering the individual patient’s concerns.
2. What is Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a surgery to correct the deviated nasal septum. Septum is the bony-cartilaginous wall dividing the nasal space into two halves. A deviation of the nasal septum can be present since birth (congenital) or occur due to an injury or trauma to the nose during sports, traffic accidents or playground games.
Deviated nasal septum can cause nasal airway obstruction resulting in:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Mouth breathing
- Recurrent nasal and sinus infections
- Snoring and sleep apnea
- Facial pain and headaches
- Nose bleeds
During septoplasty, the position of the nasal septum is realigned towards the midline of the nose with correction of the bent portion of bone and cartilage. This procedure will open the nasal airways and help improve breathing, ventilation and drainage.
3. Rhinoseptoplasty: When you need to improve both nasal function and appearance
Rhino-septoplasty or Septorhinoplasty is a combined technique of performing both septoplasty and rhinoplasty surgeries simultaneously. This helps patients to improve both breathing difficulties (function) and external appearance (cosmetic) of their nose at the same time. It also allows them to heal post-operatively within one recovery phase.
It is often performed in patients with crooked nose, congenital defects and other deformities of the nose from trauma or injury.
Why should I get my rhinoseptoplasty done at Recon?
Recon’s Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Pragati Shubha is the best cosmetic surgeon in Delhi. She is a registered ENT and Head Neck surgeon, who has worked extensively in Rhinoplasty and Facial Aesthetic Surgery. Her practice has involved an expansive focus on the function and aesthetics of the nose and the head and neck region. Her dual training ensures peerless expertise in reconstructing significant structures in the face, like the nose and reshaping them for an optimally aesthetic result.
Dr. Pragati Shubha along with Recon’s advanced technologies, expert team of doctors, nurses and other well trained staff ensure that every patient receives the best treatment in the field of facial aesthetics.
Takeaway
A septorhinoplasty has many benefits for someone who is already planning a rhinoplasty. Since the doctor is already operating on the nose, this is a good opportunity to address other issues, like a deviated septum simultaneously. Although the surgery takes the same effort as doing them separately, the time as well as cost of surgery and recovery are halved:
- Hospital stay
- Booking the operation theatre only once
- Booking the anaesthesiologist once
- Fewer consultations
- Open and closing the surgery once
- Single recovery time
FAQs
Understanding the difference between septoplasty vs rhinoplasty will help the patients in making an informed decision. Both are surgical procedures performed on the nose. Rhinoplasty modifies the outer shape of the nose to mainly improve its aesthetic appearance and is often considered a cosmetic surgery. Septoplasty on the other hand, corrects deformities of the internal nasal structure to treat issues such as difficulty in breathing and is considered a functional surgery. Your doctor will be able to decide which procedure is best suitable for you only after a detailed clinical history and nasal examination.
Both the procedures, i.e., septoplasty and rhinoplasty involve treating the nasal structure. Simultaneous rhinoplasty and septoplasty helps patients to improve both breathing difficulties (function) and external appearance (cosmetic) of their nose at the same time.
Septoplasty performed alone cannot change the shape of the nose as it only corrects and realigns the internal structure of the nose.
A deviated nasal septum can lead to problems in the ventilation and drainage of the nasal sinuses resulting in recurrent nasal and sinus infections responding slowly to antibiotics. Recurrent sinus infection can produce symptoms like constant nasal drip, facial pain, difficulty in breathing, headaches and snoring. This can be treated by correcting the deviated septum with septoplasty.
Every person’s recovery period differs and depends on factors like the indication and extent of surgery performed, pre-existing medical conditions and patient’s compliance to post-operative instructions and follow-up. Post-operatively there will be swelling, redness, bruising and congestion in the nasal area which takes a few weeks to recover. Overall, the majority of the patients return to work 2 weeks after surgery. Your doctor will further advise you to come for regular follow-up consultations and follow the prescribed medications for a smoother recovery.
