Can A Rhinoplasty Surgery Correct A Deviated Septum?

It is a common misconception, that a rhinoplasty alone is able to correct a deviated septum. Celebrities who claim that a deviated septum was their reason for surgery have further perpetuated this idea in the media.

A deviated septum is a condition in which the nasal septum – the bone and cartilage in the middle of the nose – is off center or crooked, thereby causing breathing difficulties. Although it is very common to visit a Toronto rhinoplasty clinic and learn that you have asymmetries and variations in your breathing passages, the symptoms may include breathing obstructions, or nothing at all.

The procedure to correct a deviated septum is actually different from a rhinoplasty and is known as a septoplasty. When opting for a septoplasty to correct a deviated septum it is extremely important to choose a highly skilled surgeon who specializes in the procedure. When it comes to rhinoplasty in Toronto, Dr. Solomon is known to have an artistic eye with 20 years experience as a rhinoplasty specialist in Toronto. Dr. Philip Solomon is a renowned Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon practicing Facial Plastic Surgery who is sought out by patients from across Canada and the Greater Toronto Area.

In a septoplasty, bone and cartilage from the middle of the nose is repositioned or removed in order to correct the misalignment and resulting breathing issues. Depending of the extent of the procedure, internal splints may be required to be to hold the septum in place during the healing process. Similar to a rhinoplasty, the procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia and is typically takes 1-2 hours. Most healing usually occurs within one to two weeks.

A key difference between the two procedures is that since septoplasty is considered a medically necessary procedure, it is often covered under provincial health or medical insurance policies. Rhinoplasties on the other hand, since they are purely cosmetic, usually have to be paid for out of pocket.

Although a rhinoplasty alone does not address a deviated septum, it can be performed in conjunction with a septoplasty, which is known as a septorhinoplasty. Dr. Solomon is highly skilled in performing this procedure at his rhinoplasty clinic in Toronto. When the two procedures are combined, patients are able to correct their breathing issues along with address cosmetic concerns of the nose in a single procedure.

For those who are looking to address both a deviated septum and cosmetic aspects of the nose, there are benefits to combining the procedures. For instance, the immediate recovery time remains the same as patients can return to work or school 7-10 days following their rhinoplasty surgery. Furthermore, there is usually cost savings in terms of operating room costs, surgeon fees and anesthesia as they no longer needing to be split between the two procedures.

The distinction between a rhinoplasty and septoplasty can often get confusing, as there are cases where as the result of a nose being crooked, it does not work well. In such cases, a functional rhinoplasty is usually performed to straighten the nose and open the airways. There are also cases in which the septum may be straight, but the nasal passages are too narrow. In these cases, a nasal valve surgery is required, which is also a type of functional rhinoplasty.

In order to determine which procedure is right for you, it is important to consult with a highly skilled and board certified surgeon who specializes in nasal surgery.

At Dr. Solomon’s Nasal and Facial Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, he performs in depth consultations with each patient to address their individual needs as well as uses computer imaging techniques to give patient an idea of what they will look like following the procedure. This can help with the decision making process and reduce anxiety related to the end results of this life altering procedure.