Septorhinoplasty combines straightening the central wall of the nose (septal deviation) with reshaping the outside of the nose in a single operation.

What is the difference between septoplasty, rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty?

To separate the three in a sentence each: septoplasty corrects the inside of the nose — it removes the septal deviation that makes breathing difficult. Rhinoplasty corrects the outside — it reshapes form, size and symmetry. Septorhinoplasty combines the two in the same session.

There is an important point here: rhinoplasty is not always an “optional choice”. In some patients the sides of the nose collapse inwards on breathing in, or the narrowest passage inside the nose is not open enough — these problems come from the external structure of the nose rather than the septum, and they are corrected as part of rhinoplasty, not septoplasty. So when there is a functional problem in both the septum and the external structure, septorhinoplasty is often less an aesthetic choice than a necessity for breathing to be fully restored.

Should everyone with a deviated septum have septorhinoplasty?

No. Septorhinoplasty is needed when there is a problem both inside (the septum) and outside (the shape of the nose, the nasal sidewalls or the narrow passage). For a patient who has only a deviated septum and no breathing problem arising from the shape or external structure, septoplasty alone is enough — there is no need to touch the appearance of the nose.

Nor does every deviation need surgery. Mild deviations noticed by chance on examination, which cause no real breathing difficulty, usually need nothing more than follow-up. “I have a deviated septum” does not automatically mean “I need surgery” — what matters is whether it actually causes symptoms.

How much does breathing improve after surgery?

In prospective studies, both obstruction scores and overall satisfaction improve clearly from the sixth month after septorhinoplasty. But there is no simple answer to “will it be one hundred per cent better?” — airflow through the nose is not fixed but dynamic: the turbinates naturally swell and shrink during the day (the “nasal cycle”), so breathing can feel easier on some days and harder on others. This is normal physiology, independent of surgery.

In addition, if causes other than the septum contribute to the obstruction — allergic airway disease, for example — symptoms may not disappear completely even after the septum is corrected, for as long as those causes persist. In these cases ENT or allergy follow-up may be needed after surgery too.

Finally, there is an important balance: over-treating the turbinates (removing too much tissue) can cause the opposite problem instead of easier breathing — “empty nose syndrome”, in which breathing feels inadequate even though the passage is wide open. I therefore take a measured, balanced approach to turbinate surgery; the aim is not to remove as much tissue as possible but to find the right balance.

Does health insurance cover the functional part?

For patients who have SGK (Turkish social security) or private health insurance in Türkiye: when your functional problem (such as a septal deviation that restricts breathing) is medically documented, some health insurance policies may cover that part — coverage depends on your policy. The aesthetic part is generally not covered by any insurer.

We work out together at the first consultation which part your insurance covers and to what extent; if you wish, I can support you in your correspondence with the insurer.

For other patients, information on fees and payment is shared at the preliminary consultation.