Difficulty Breathing Through the Nose? Consider Rhinoplasty in Sacramento

Rhinoplasty is more commonly called a “nose job” or “nose reshaping.” It can be purely cosmetic and done to simply improve the appearance of the nose, or it can improve the function of the nose and make it easier for the patient to breathe. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing through your nose, rhinoplasty with our specialist in Sacramento may be right for you.

On functional rhinoplasty

Functional rhinoplasty most commonly involves correcting a deviated septum (septoplasty) and/or repairing the nasal valve. The septum is the wall between the nostrils. In a deviated septum, the wall is pushed to one side and can thus partially or wholly block the airway in one nostril. A deviated septum is a very common problem that is generally caused by an injury or birth defect.

The nasal valve is the narrowest part of the airway in the nose, and it sits in the lower half of the nose. It is comprised of four parts: the lateral nasal wall, the anterior septum, the osseous piriform aperture and the head of the inferior turbinate. A condition called nasal valve collapse can cause severe congestion and breathing difficulties. It can be caused by any of the following:

• Birth defect
• Injury to the nose
• Previous cosmetic rhinoplasty
• Deviated septum
• Aging, which makes the nasal valve grow weaker

Types of rhinoplasty

Secondary or revision rhinoplasty is simply a procedure done to correct problems that were caused or at least developed after an earlier nose job.

An open rhinoplasty is the oldest type and is most likely to be used if the patient needs a lot of work. In a closed rhinoplasty, the work is done inside the nose. Many surgeons prefer using closed techniques when possible because it causes less scarring. Some proponents claim it also causes less swelling and has a shorter healing time than the open technique.

What can the patient expect?

Rhinoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure, and the patient will be given either general anesthesia or a local anesthetic paired with a sedative. After completing the surgery, our plastic surgeon will use a splint and/or gauze packing to hold the nose in place while it heals.

What is the recovery like?

Dr. Kaniff will send the patient home with instructions on how to care for their nose. The patient will, for example, have to keep their head elevated and still for the first few days. The patient’s first follow-up appointment will take place within a week after the procedure. In addition to checking their progress, the surgeon will remove the splints, packing and stitches.

Rhinoplasty can provide exceptional cosmetic and functional results. Our plastic surgeon provides this procedure with expertise at Kaniff Cosmetic Medical Center in Sacramento. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and learn more.