Crooked, deviated or asymmetrical nose

The surgeries used to correct a crooked nose are rhinoplasty, septoplasty, and narinoplasty. These three types of nose surgery are often linked. Before surgery, you can create a before/after simulation using a photo to visualize the desired result and discuss a specific aspect with the surgeon. For a crooked nose correction simulation, you must send a frontal photo.

Crooked nose rhinoplasty

The surgeon will operate on the bone, the cartilage and the structures that hold the cartilage together.

• bone cutting (osteotomy) or bone scraping.
• bone displacement using titanium plates and screws (osteosythesis).
• cartilage removal.
• cartilage grafts.
• sutures of cartilage to modify their position.
• reconstruction of the nasal pyramid.
• re-modeling and displacement of the alar cartilages.

Typically, the surgeon places silicone swabs or plates in the nostrils at the end of the operation. They will be removed 1 to 7 days later. The nose may also be in a cast for one week.

Recovery after surgery is rapid (approximately 10-15 days). Final results are visible 3 to 6 months after the procedure.

What is septoplasty?

Septoplasty is the procedure that will modify the shape of the nasal septums in order to facilitate breathing (when medical treatment is not sufficient). It is characterized by a completely blocked nose or a feeling of a blocked nose. The operation is performed by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. This surgery has no cosmetic impact on the nose, its only objective is to restore the airway function of the nose. The operation is performed through the nostrils and does not leave visible scars. It is performed under general anesthesia. The patient goes home the same day (outpatient) or stays one to two days in the hospital. When the (functional) septoplasty is performed at the same time as a rhinoplasty operation (straightening of the nose, often for aesthetic reasons), it is called septorhinoplasty or rhinoseptoplasty .

What is ultrasound surgery?

Ultrasonic surgery is widely used in rhinoplasty and septoplasty. We talk about ultrasonic rhinosculpture, ultrasonic osteotomy (bone cutting). This technique uses piezoelectricity. These are mini-vibrations that are transmitted to a tool that can be inserted into the nose. The tool can be used to cut the bone or to rasp it. It also allows the membranes that cover the bone to be lifted. The use of this type of device allows for less traumatic operations because the cuts are finer and there is less heating than with a milling machine. In addition, the tools only attack the bones (osteotomy) and do little or no damage to soft tissues (nerves, blood vessels, skin). 

Generally, operations are easier and more visible on larger noses. Smaller noses require the surgeon to use finer movements and a deeper intervention.

Can you straighten your nose with injections? (Botox or hyaluronic acid) – Medical rhinoplasty.

Some doctors suggest straightening the nose with hyaluronic acid injections. In reality, the fillers will simply swell part of the nose to mask the asymmetry. The effects are temporary and disappear after a year. There is no benefit to nasal breathing. We will not elaborate further on this practice, which is rarely practiced.

Nostril surgery

The nostrils can also be asymmetrical. In this case, the surgery that will correct the problem will be a narinoplasty. However, this type of surgery is complex because it is difficult to move the root of the nostril (with the risk of leaving a scar). On the other hand, the surgeon can shorten it so that it is less rounded and therefore less wide. He can also suture the slits in the nostril and reconstruct it using a cartilage and skin graft in the event of a tear (accident).