
In this plain English guide to rhinoplasty surgery for a deviated septum, we cover everything you need to know about this common surgical procedure:
And much more. Let’s get started:
What is Rhinoplasty Surgery?
Rhinoplasty surgery is a procedure that reshapes the nose or enhances the appearance of the nose while restoring or improving its function. It is one of the most commonly-performed surgical procedure in the US. This procedure is also known as “nose job” or nose reshaping.1Sean T. Massa MD, Scott G. Walen MD. Evidence-Based Clinical Practice in Otolaryngology, 2018, 59-71.
Rhinoplasty Surgery Procedure Steps
The steps that are followed during a rhinoplasty surgery procedure are:2American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Based on the patient’s preference and complexity of the case, local or general anesthesia is given to the patient to numb the nose.
Using a blade, incisions are marked either internally on the inner skin of the nose (closed procedure) or externally on the skin separating two nostrils (open procedure).
Following this, skin covering the nasal bone and cartilage is lifted.
The nose is reshaped by removing bone and cartilage. Occasionally, cartilage graft is added to enhance the shape of the nose.
Any deviation present in the septum is corrected simultaneously.
The soft tissue is again stitched back on the nose. Splints or nasal packing may be placed within the nose to give support.
Effectiveness of Rhinoplasty Surgery
Studies show there is significant improvement in the appearance and function of the nose after rhinoplasty. Individuals reported improvement in the quality of life and satisfaction with the results of rhinoplasty upon evaluation at the end of 3 and 6 months.3Esteves SS, Gonçalves Ferreira M, Almeida JC, Abrunhosa J. Evaluation of aesthetic and functional outcomes in rhinoplasty surgery: a prospective study. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2017 Oct;83(5):552-7
What to Expect After Rhinoplasty Surgery?
After the rhinoplasty procedure, patients can expect the following:4Cochran, C. S., Ducic, Y., & DeFatta, R. J. (2008). Current Concepts in the Postoperative Care of the Rhinoplasty Patient. Southern Medical Journal, 101(9), 935–939.
Rhinoplasty Surgery Recovery
To recover from a rhinoplasty surgery, patients are advised to:5Lee, H. S., Yoon, H. Y., Kim, I. H., & Hwang, S. H. (2017). The effectiveness of postoperative intervention in patients after rhinoplasty: a meta-analysis. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 274(7), 2685–2694
Precautions After Rhinoplasty Surgery

After the rhinoplasty procedure, patients should follow these precautions:6Simpson JC. Postoperative Care of The Patient After Nasal Surgery
Rhinoplasty Pain After Surgery
Most patients report minimal to moderate pain for 36-72 hours after rhinoplasty surgery. Patients rarely complain of severe pain. However, the nose may remain sensitive to touch until 3 months. The pain can be managed using painkillers, cold packs, herbal supplement Arnica montana, or by keeping the head elevated while sleeping using pillows. In case of severe pain even 48 hours after the surgery, the patient should contact the doctor.7Ishii LE, Tollefson TT, Basura GJ, Rosenfeld RM, Abramson PJ, Chaiet SR,et al.Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Feb;156(2_suppl):S1-S30.
Rhinoplasty Surgery Side Effects
Complications are observed in 1.7-18% of rhinoplasty surgeries. The most common side effects of the surgery include presence of infection (~15%), delayed wound healing (~5%), and postoperative bleeding (~2%).
Other complications include septal hematoma (collection of blood between nostrils), numbness in skin of the nose, over correction of the nose, perforation of the nasal septum, nasal obstruction, and requirement of revisional surgery.8Layliev J, Gupta V, Kaoutzanis C, Ganesh Kumar N, Winocour J, Grotting JC, Higdon KK. Incidence and preoperative risk factors for major complications in aesthetic rhinoplasty: analysis of 4978 patients. Aesthetic surgery journal. 2017 Jul 1;37(7):757-67.
Pros and Cons of Rhinoplasty Surgery
When deciding whether or not to have this procedure done for your deviated septum, consider these pros and cons:9Lee, H. S., Yoon, H. Y., Kim, I. H., & Hwang, S. H. (2017). The effectiveness of postoperative intervention in patients after rhinoplasty: a meta-analysis. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 274(7), 2685–2694
Pros of Rhinoplasty Surgery:
Cons of Rhinoplasty Surgery:
Rhinoplasty Surgery Videos
Here are some excellent videos that show the rhinoplasty procedure:
Frequently Asked Questions – Rhinoplasty Surgery
Here are answers to the most commonly asked questions related to rhinoplasty surgery:
The short answer is yes.
Rhinoplasty involves intricate procedures which can impact the overall facial balance. As a result, the surgery is artistically most challenging of all aesthetic surgeries.10Daniel RK, Pálházi P. Rhinoplasty: an anatomical and clinical atlas. Springer; 2018 Mar 6.
Rhinoplasty surgery takes an average time of 1.45- 2.15 hours.11 Foda, H. M. T. (2003). External rhinoplasty: a critical analysis of 500 cases. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 117(06)
The swelling after rhinoplasty surgery subsides within a few weeks. While it may take a year for permanent changes in the nasal contour to become evident.12American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
The average rhinoplasty procedure typically exceeds $4,000, excluding cost incurred for anesthesia, operating room facilities, and other expenses.13Ishii LE, Tollefson TT, Basura GJ, Rosenfeld RM, Abramson PJ, Chaiet SR,et al.Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Feb;156(2_suppl):S1-S30.
Sources:
- 1Sean T. Massa MD, Scott G. Walen MD. Evidence-Based Clinical Practice in Otolaryngology, 2018, 59-71.
- 2American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
- 3Esteves SS, Gonçalves Ferreira M, Almeida JC, Abrunhosa J. Evaluation of aesthetic and functional outcomes in rhinoplasty surgery: a prospective study. Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. 2017 Oct;83(5):552-7
- 4Cochran, C. S., Ducic, Y., & DeFatta, R. J. (2008). Current Concepts in the Postoperative Care of the Rhinoplasty Patient. Southern Medical Journal, 101(9), 935–939.
- 5Lee, H. S., Yoon, H. Y., Kim, I. H., & Hwang, S. H. (2017). The effectiveness of postoperative intervention in patients after rhinoplasty: a meta-analysis. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 274(7), 2685–2694
- 6Simpson JC. Postoperative Care of The Patient After Nasal Surgery
- 7Ishii LE, Tollefson TT, Basura GJ, Rosenfeld RM, Abramson PJ, Chaiet SR,et al.Clinical Practice Guideline: Improving Nasal Form and Function after Rhinoplasty. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017 Feb;156(2_suppl):S1-S30.
- 8Layliev J, Gupta V, Kaoutzanis C, Ganesh Kumar N, Winocour J, Grotting JC, Higdon KK. Incidence and preoperative risk factors for major complications in aesthetic rhinoplasty: analysis of 4978 patients. Aesthetic surgery journal. 2017 Jul 1;37(7):757-67.
- 9Daniel RK, Pálházi P. Rhinoplasty: an anatomical and clinical atlas. Springer; 2018 Mar 6.
- 10Foda, H. M. T. (2003). External rhinoplasty: a critical analysis of 500 cases. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology, 117(06)
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