Septorhinoplasty at Warwickshire Hospital

What is septorhinoplasty?

Septorhinoplasty is a procedure that reshapes the outside of the nose and corrects internal structural issues that affect breathing. It’s often referred to as functional rhinoplasty or rhinoseptoplasty, and it’s recommended when you want to improve both the appearance and function of your nose.

Septorhinoplasty has been shown to improve nasal airflow and quality of life for patients suffering from structural blockages^1,2. During the operation, your surgeon can refine the nasal shape, such as smoothing a dorsal hump or adjusting the nasal tip, while also straightening the septum or removing obstructions that can make breathing difficult.

What can septorhinoplasty help with?

Septorhinoplasty can address both medical and cosmetic concerns in a single operation.

Medical reasons may include:

• Deviated septum – where the thin wall of bone and tissue dividing your nostrils is bent or crooked.
• Chronic nasal blockage.
• Difficulty breathing through the nose.
• Post-traumatic deformities.
• Internal nasal valve collapse – weakened tissue in the middle of the nose which results in restricted airflow.
• Enlarged turbinates (small bony structures in the nose).

Cosmetic reasons may include:

• Refining the nasal tip.
• Reducing a dorsal hump - a protruding bump on the bridge of the nose caused by an excess of cartilage and bone in that area.
• Straightening a crooked nose.
• Adjusting nostril size or shape.
• Improving facial symmetry.
• Restoring balance after injury.

Who is suitable for septorhinoplasty?

You may be suitable for septorhinoplasty if you’re experiencing the above medical or cosmetic concerns, and are aged 18 years and over.

You may not be suitable if you:

• Smoke or vape (unless you can stop before surgery)
• Have uncontrolled medical conditions
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Continue to take part in sports that have a high risk of nasal injury (e.g., boxing, rugby, football).

Your surgeon will assess your anatomy, breathing and goals to recommend the safest and most effective approach.

What are the alternatives to septorhinoplasty?

Septorhinoplasty vs rhinoplasty — which is right for me?

Rhinoplasty is best if you’re looking to change the shape, size or symmetry of your nose without significant breathing issues. While septorhinoplasty combines cosmetic changes with functional improvements to the nasal airway. For example, straightening the septum and reshaping the nose in one procedure.

Septorhinoplasty vs septoplasty (deviated septum) — which is right for me?

Septorhinoplasty and septoplasty are often mentioned together, but they’re designed to treat different concerns. Septoplasty focuses entirely on the inside of your nose - straightening a crooked septum (the wall separating your nostrils) to open your airways and help you breathe easily. It does not alter the appearance of the nose; it focuses on improving its function. Septorhinoplasty combines internal breathing fixes with cosmetic reshaping of the nose.

How can I prepare for septorhinoplasty?

To support a safe procedure and smooth recovery, your surgeon may advise you to:

• Stop smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery
• Avoid blood-thinning medications if advised
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Arrange time off work
• Attend a pre-operative assessment
• Prepare your home for recovery (e.g. extra pillows, soft foods or saline spray).

What happens at a septorhinoplasty consultation?

At your septorhinoplasty consultation, your surgeon will review your medical history and discuss your reasons for a septorhinoplasty. This is your time to share both your physical and aesthetic goals. You'll talk about the functional side - like if a deviated septum is making it hard to breathe or sleep - as well as the cosmetic side, meaning how you want the outside of your nose to look.

Next, the surgeon will take a close look at your face and the structure of your nose. They’ll examine your nasal passages and your septum (the wall of cartilage that separates your nostrils) to see what's happening on the inside. Around this time, they will also show you before-and-after photos of previous patients. Looking at these real-world examples helps you visualise potential results and keeps expectations realistic.

Finally, your surgeon will break down the details of the procedure itself. They will explain the techniques they recommend for your specific anatomy, walk you through what the healing process looks like, and honestly discuss any risks so you can make an informed decision.

Please tell your surgeon and pre-assessment nurse about all the medications you are taking, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements. They will advise you on whether to continue or temporarily stop taking medicines before and after your surgery.

What should I expect during a septorhinoplasty?

On the day of your surgery, you will first meet with your surgical and anaesthetic team to prepare for the procedure. Your surgeon will carefully mark your nose to guide the precise incisions (cuts).

A septorhinoplasty is usually performed under general anaesthesia and takes around 1 to 2 hours.

Closed septorhinoplasty

This is performed through incisions (cuts) hidden entirely inside the nostrils, meaning there are no visible external scars. Once the internal cuts are made, your surgeon gently lifts the nasal lining to access the cartilage and bone underneath. From here, they can straighten the septum, remove or reshape cartilage, smooth a dorsal hump, or refine the nasal tip – all without opening the skin on the outside of the nose.

Because the approach is internal, closed septorhinoplasty can be ideal if you’re looking to reshape your nose with a slight difference or correct nasal functions without extensive work on nasal structures. Recovery can also be slightly quicker, as there is less disruption to the nasal tissues. Dissolvable stitches are used inside the nose, so there’s nothing to remove afterwards.

Open septorhinoplasty

Open septorhinoplasty is recommended when the procedure is more complex or when the surgeon needs a clear, unobstructed view of the nasal framework. A small incision is made across the columella – the strip of skin between the nostrils – allowing the surgeon to gently lift the skin and expose the entire nasal structure.

This enhanced visibility gives the surgeon greater control when correcting a deviated septum, rebuilding weakened areas, refining the nasal tip, or reshaping the bones and cartilage. It’s especially useful for revision surgery, significant asymmetry, or cases requiring cartilage grafts.

The incision on the columella is closed with fine stitches and typically heals into a thin, discreet line.

After surgery, you may have:

• A splint on your nose.
• If internal nasal packing is used, it can be either dissolvable or non-dissolvable. Your surgeon will specify the time of removal if it is the non-dissolvable kind
• Bruising around the eyes
• Swelling for several weeks
• Nasal congestion
• Stiffness and numbness around your nasal tip.

How long does it take to recover after septorhinoplasty?

Most people return to normal daily activities within 2 weeks, but full healing can take up to 12 months.

Common experiences may include:

• Bruising and swelling
• Nasal congestion
• Mild discomfort
• Exhaustion
• Gradual return of your sense of smell
• Temporary numbness.

General recovery guidance:

• Keep your head elevated
• Avoid bending down
• Avoid blowing your nose for 1 week
• Avoid glasses resting on the bridge for 4–6 weeks
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 4–6 weeks
• Avoid contact sports for 2 months
• Use sunscreen for 6 months.

When you’ll see results:

• Initial improvement: 2–3 weeks
• Most swelling is gone within 3 months
• Final result achieved within 12 months.

What are the risks and complications of septorhinoplasty?

Septorhinoplasty is safe when performed by experienced surgeons, but all surgery can carry risks. Possible complications include:

• Infection of the surgical area.
• Bleeding - light bleeding, oozing, or spotting for the first few days after your surgery is very common. However, in extremely uncommon cases, heavier bleeding can occur. If this happens, your surgeon or healthcare team might need to place temporary gauze or soft sponges inside your nose (a process called nasal packing) to apply gentle pressure and stop the flow.
• Bruising and swelling.
• Nasal septal perforation (rare) - a hole in the tissue that separates your nostrils.
• Persistent breathing difficulties.
• Altered sense of smell.
• Graft problems – the cartilage graft used can warp (bend), resorb, or sometimes migrate.

How much does septorhinoplasty cost at Nuffield Health?

For pricing information, please contact your local hospital. The hospital or your healthcare team will give you a fixed all-inclusive price for the treatment following your initial consultation.

Sources:
1 - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13058355/
2 - https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1001/jamafacial.2018.2118