The nose is a common site for plastic surgery procedures. Despite being a small part of facial anatomy, it has an important place in both aesthetics and function. Nasal procedures like rhinoplasty, septoplasty, have overlapping boundaries and indications, leading to confusion among patients. Understanding the meaning of septoplasty and subtle differences between the two surgeries will allow prospective patients to have realistic expectations of the surgical outcome and make an informed choice.
What is Septoplasty?
To properly define septoplasty, one has to understand nasal anatomy. The meaning of septoplasty comes from two words, “septo” which refers to the nasal septum, and “plasty” which means to alter, mold, or form. The nasal septum is a cartilage-based structure within the nasal cavity that separates it into two nostrils. A septoplasty is a reconstructive surgery that treats defects of the nasal septum (E.g. Deviated Nasal Septum or DNS) to make functional improvements.
What is Rhinoplasty?
A rhinoplasty is typically called a “nose job”. It is a cosmetic surgical procedure and aims to make aesthetic corrections to the shape, size, and contours of the nose. The surgery alters the skin, nasal bone, or the nasal cartilage lower down to make cosmetic corrections. There is usually no clinical indication for a rhinoplasty surgery.
What Are The Distinctions between Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty?
For someone not familiar with nasal surgical procedures and terminologies, differentiating between a rhinoplasty and septoplasty is not so easy. They may sound similar on surface, however, these are two different surgical procedures with distinct characteristics.
Indication for Surgery
A septoplasty is reconstructive surgery that is done to achieve functional improvement. Common indications of a septoplasty include a DNS, nasal obstruction, repeated nosebleeds, sinus infections, trauma, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Rhinoplasty can be considered as a procedure done for cosmetic aims. Rhinoplasty indications include correcting anatomical issues like a nasal hump, wide nose, droopy nasal tip, crooked nose, and asymmetry. Rhinoplasty can correct birth defects of the nose and traumatic damage to the nasal anatomy as well.
Anatomical Location
A septoplasty deals with the nasal septum and is performed on internal structures of the nose. A rhinoplasty, on the other hand, restores aesthetics by alterations of both internal and external nasal structures.
Benefits
A septoplasty improves nasal function by making it easier to breathe. It improves the flow of air through nasal passages and improves oxygen levels. A rhinoplasty focuses on cosmetic improvements of the nose to enhance aesthetics. Rhinoplasty surgery may secondarily improve function, however, that is not its primary purpose.
Post-surgical Scarring
There is no risk for post-surgical scarring with septoplasty as the surgery is performed inside the nose. For open rhinoplasty, doctors use a little incision, which may result in faint scarring. The scar usually fades with time.
Recovery Duration
The initial recovery period after a septoplasty experience is approximately 4 weeks. The septoplasty recovery time for full internal healing is 3 months. The early recovery after a rhinoplasty takes 2 to 4 weeks, however, the full cosmetic outcome may take up to a year to become noticeable.
Insurance Availability
Due to its classification as a reconstructive procedure, a septoplasty usually has insurance coverage. However, the insurance coverage for a rhinoplasty is sparse in the absence of a medical/clinical indication.
Common rhinoplasty and septoplasty complications may include risk of bleeding, infection, swelling, anesthesia-related complications, paresthesia, etc. Before committing to any kind of plastic or cosmetic surgery it is advisable to discuss the exact scope and requirements of the procedure with a professional healthcare provider in detail.
Can Rhinoplasty and a Septoplasty be Combined Together?
When both cosmetic and functional improvements are required, a combination of a septoplasty and rhinoplasty is performed. The surgery can be called septorhinoplasty. The procedure provides the best of both worlds by providing septoplasty results as well as enhancing facial aesthetics. It deals with cases where functional deficiencies like a deviated septum, turbinate hypertrophy, traumatic damage, nasal obstruction, etc., exist alongside cosmetic issues such a bulbous tip, dorsal hump, crooked nose, etc. Possible complications after a septorhinoplasty include pain or discomfort, persistent bruising, nasal congestion, recurrent nosebleeds, infection, complications related to the type of anesthesia, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do either procedure involve hospital stay?
Unless there is need for general anesthesia, neither procedure requires a hospital stay.
Will I get nasal packing after getting a rhinoplasty or septoplasty?
It depends on the technique and surgeon. Newer techniques do not require nasal packing.
Will either surgery affect my vocal cords or voice quality?
As a rare complication some change in resonance may occur, however, vocal cords are not touched in either surgery.
Do rhinoplasty or septoplasty impact the sense of smell?
There may be some temporary alterations in the sense of smell which resolve with time.
How do I decide if I should have a rhinoplasty or a septoplasty?
Discuss your symptoms and requirements in detail with an ENT specialist, they will recommend the best surgery for your case.
