Rhinoplasty and septoplasty are two different types of surgeries performed on the nose. Although they have different purposes, they can sometimes be performed together. This combined technique of performing both these surgeries simultaneously is known as Rhinoseptoplasty or Septorhinoplasty.
The key difference between rhinoplasty and septoplasty is their function. Rhinoplasty is a surgery that focuses on correcting the outward appearance of the nose, while septoplasty is a surgery that addresses internal abnormalities of the nose.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Rhinoplasty
3. What is Septoplasty
4. Similarities – Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty
5. Rhinoplasty vs Septoplasty in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Rhinoplasty vs Septoplasty
7. FAQ – Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty
What is Rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty, also known as a nose job, is one of the most popular types of cosmetic surgery. It reshapes the nose to improve the appearance of the nose. Rhinoplasty is a type of plastic surgery that changes the nose’s shape and size.
Surgeons who perform this procedure are normally trained in plastic surgery or facial plastic surgery. Rhinoplasty is one of the most common cosmetic surgeries, and over 350,000 rhinoplasty procedures are performed each year in the United States. The advantages of rhinoplasty include changing the shape and size of the nose, improving the facial appearance, and improving how you breathe out of the nose. However, there can be potential complications after rhinoplasty, including a hole in the nasal septum, infections, nose bleeds, poor wound healing, skin discolouration, unsatisfactory appearance, alteration of the sense of smell, pain, scarring, and additional surgery.
What is Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a type of reconstructive surgery that can be used to correct congenital defects and a deviated septum. The septum can become deviated from an injury or people can also be born with it. Septoplasty is one of the most common procedures performed by otolaryngologists, and about 260,000 septoplasties are performed every year in the United States.
The advantages of septoplasty include treating breathing problems caused by a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or other conditions; reducing or eliminating snoring and providing better rest at night; and allowing sinuses to drain better, which results in fewer sinus infections. Furthermore, potential complications involved in septoplasty include excessive bleeding, infection, scarring, a perforation in the septum, numbness of the nose and teeth, toxic shock syndrome, and spinal fluid leakage.
Similarities Between Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty
- Rhinoplasty and septoplasty are two different nose surgeries.
- Rhinoseptoplasty or septorhinoplasty is a combined technique used to perform both of these surgeries.
- Septoplasty is a functional rhinoplasty.
- Both are performed by qualified surgeons, and they are minor surgeries.
Difference Between Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty
Definition
- Rhinoplasty is a surgery that focuses on correcting the outward appearance of the nose.
- Septoplasty is a surgery that addresses internal abnormalities of the nose.
Commonness
- Over 350,000 rhinoplasty procedures are performed each year in the United States.
- About 260,000 septoplasties are performed every year in the United States.
Advantages
- Changing the shape and size of the nose, improving the facial appearance, and improving how you breathe out of the nose.
- Treating breathing problems caused by a deviated septum, nasal polyp, or other conditions reduces or eliminates snoring, gives better night rest, and allows sinuses to drain better, which results in fewer sinus infections.
Potential Complications
- A hole in the nasal septum, infections, nose bleeds, poor wound healing, skin discolouration, unsatisfactory appearance, alteration of the sense of smell, pain, scarring, and additional surgery.
- Excessive bleeding, infection, scarring, perforation in the septum, numbness of the nose and teeth, toxic shock syndrome, and spinal fluid leakage.
Cost
- The average cost is around 6324 dollars.
- The average cost is around 4083 to 8497 dollars.
The following table summarizes the difference between rhinoplasty and septoplasty.
Summary – Rhinoplasty vs Septoplasty
Rhinoplasty and septoplasty are two different nose surgeries by trained surgeons. They are also surgeries that can be performed simultaneously. Rhinoplasty is a surgery that focuses on correcting the outward appearance of the nose while septoplasty is a surgery that addresses internal abnormalities of the nose. This is the key difference between rhinoplasty and septoplasty.
FAQ: Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty
1. Is rhinoplasty a serious surgery?
- Rhinoplasty is a minor cosmetic surgery. However, all surgical procedures, including rhinoplasty, carry some degree of risk, such as a hole in the nasal septum or nasal septal perforation) and infections.
2. Is rhinoplasty 100% safe?
- Rhinoplasty is a very safe surgery generally, but it does carry slight risks, which tend to increase with the patient’s age. Some of these risks include making a hole in the nasal septum, infections, nose bleeds, poor wound healing, skin discolouration, unsatisfactory appearance, alteration of the sense of smell, pain, scarring and additional surgery.
3. What happens during a septoplasty?
- During a septoplasty surgery, the surgeon makes a cut inside the nasal wall on one side of the nose, elevating the mucous membrane that covers the wall. Cartilage or bone causing the blockage in the area is repositioned, and the mucous membrane is put back in place.
4. Is a septoplasty a permanent fix?
- Although nearly all patients undergoing septoplasty find a dramatic improvement in their ability to breathe through their nose, there is a small chance of insignificant improvement or no improvement.
5. How do I know if I need septoplasty or rhinoplasty?
- Septoplasty is typically recommended for breathing issues, while rhinoplasty is for aesthetic changes. Your best option is to consult a qualified healthcare professional, such as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, who can help determine if you need septoplasty.
Reference:
1. “Rhinoplasty Additional Details.” Cleveland Clinic.
2. “Septoplasty: What It Is, Procedure & Recovery.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Deviated nasal septum MRI” By Ptrump16 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “04-anipswsi-tou-katw-merous-ths-mitis-tip” By Mireas Georgios – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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