Septoplasty and rhinoplasty are both nose surgeries. While both can treat medical and cosmetic concerns with the nose, the two procedures are entirely different.
A septoplasty is a surgery that corrects a deviated septum. The septum consists of the bone and cartilage that separates your nostrils. When a septum is deviated, this causes one nostril to be bigger than the other. In major cases, this can restrict airflow and worsen or cause medical conditions like sleep apnea and snoring. Septoplasty is usually a medically necessary procedure.
A rhinoplasty, on the other hand, can serve cosmetic or medical purposes. A rhinoplasty, or nose job, is most commonly known for how it can reshape the nose. However, the surgery can also repair nasal structure and function of the nose. These medical rhinoplasties require larger correction than a septoplasty and often provide intense relief from breathing issues. Both cosmetic and medical rhinoplasties commonly include a septoplasty.
The main differences between a septoplasty and rhinoplasty are that a rhinoplasty deals with multiple or more structures of the nose while a septoplasty only repairs the septum. Additionally, a rhinoplasty can be cosmetic or medical, and most deviated septum surgeries are medically necessary procedures.
To schedule a consultation with board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. David Santos, call us at 206-430-1035 or contact us online.
