If you struggle with chronic nasal congestion, trouble breathing, snoring or other sleep disturbances, a deviated septum could be to blame. A deviated septum occurs when the septum, or “wall” of cartilage between your nostrils, is crooked or off-center, obstructing airflow through your nasal passages. If this is the case for you, a particular type of nose surgery called a septoplasty could help to correct this deviation and improve your symptoms.
Here, Dr. Athré explains what is involved in a septoplasty, what the differences are between septoplasty and rhinoplasty and how to know which might be best for you.
What Is Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at correcting a deviated septum. This procedure is often recommended for individuals who experience nasal obstruction, snoring, or recurrent sinus infections due to septal deviation. During septoplasty, the nasal mucosa that lines the inside of the nasal cavity is lifted and the deviated portion of the septum is removed. This ultimately creates a straighter and clearer nasal passage for improved airflow.
While septoplasties are most frequently performed by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, rhinoplasties are generally performed by facial plastic surgeons. Dr. Athré has previous experience as an ENT surgeon prior to becoming a facial plastic surgeon and is more than happy to work with your Houston ENT surgeon to perform rhinoplasty at the same time as your septoplasty, should you choose that route.
How Is Septoplasty Different from Rhinoplasty?
So what is the difference between septoplasty and rhinoplasty? Rhinoplasty, commonly referred to as a “nose job,” focuses on enhancing the external appearance of the nose. However, it is important to note that the septum plays a crucial role in both the form and function of the nose. Therefore, septoplasty is a part of nearly all rhinoplasty procedures to address both aesthetic concerns and functional issues like breathing difficulties.
Septoplasty vs. Rhinoplasty: Which Is Right for You?
In many cases, Dr. Athré’s patients wish to improve both functional and aesthetic aspects of their noses at the same time. In this case, a rhinoplasty or rhinoplasty and septoplasty combination will likely offer the most satisfactory results. However, if you are happy with the overall appearance of your nose but want to address medical conditions like a deviated septum that affect your breathing, a septoplasty on its own will likely be the best choice for you.
When deciding whether to get septoplasty alone or in combination with rhinoplasty, consider your long-term goals. While it is absolutely possible to get septoplasty now and then rhinoplasty later, separating the two procedures is generally more expensive and often requires a more complex surgical plan.
If you are still unsure about what type of nose surgery for breathing problems could be right for you, Dr. Athré would be happy to walk you through your options and help you decide based on your specific needs and goals. To schedule your consultation with Dr. Athré, please call our Houston office at 281-557-3223 or you can easily request an appointment online.
