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Septorhinoplasty is a combined functional and cosmetic nose surgery that corrects a deviated septum while reshaping the external appearance of the nose. It is recommended for patients who want to improve airflow, correct structural problems, and refine the nose’s aesthetic form in a single procedure. This guide explains how septorhinoplasty works, what the surgery involves, expected recovery, risks, benefits, and whether this dual-purpose procedure is right for you.
Septorhinoplasty combines septoplasty and rhinoplasty in one procedure to improve both breathing and nasal appearance.
The surgery can be performed using either a closed approach for minimal scarring or an open approach for more complex structural work.
Most patients experience noticeable airflow improvement and reduced nasal obstruction within the first few weeks after surgery.
Recovery follows a similar timeline to standard rhinoplasty, with most swelling resolving by 6 weeks and final results appearing over 6–12 months.
Risks include bleeding, infection, persistent swelling, tip numbness, and rarely septal perforation, emphasising the importance of choosing an experienced surgeon.
Septorhinoplasty is suitable for patients who want functional correction alongside cosmetic nose refinement in a single operation.
Septorhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that combines:
Septoplasty — straightening the septum to improve breathing.
Rhinoplasty — reshaping the bone, cartilage, and soft tissues of the nose.
By addressing both structure and appearance during the same operation, septorhinoplasty offers a more comprehensive solution than either procedure alone. Patients typically undergo this surgery to correct:
A deviated septum
Chronic nasal obstruction
Crooked or twisted nasal bones
A dorsal hump
Tip asymmetry or a bulbous tip
Post-trauma deformities
Because the surgeon works on internal and external components, it is one of the most technically demanding forms of nasal surgery — best performed by a cosmetic nose surgery specialist.
Your consultation includes:
A detailed examination of the nasal septum, cartilage, bones, and airway
Functional breathing assessment
Photographs and 3D simulation (where available)
Discussion of aesthetic goals and exact structural changes required
Review of medical history and suitability for surgery
A key part of the consultation is establishing what is surgically achievable while maintaining nasal support and long-term function. You will receive a personalised treatment plan outlining the procedural steps involved in both septal correction and external reshaping.
Anaesthesia: General anaesthetic
Duration: 1–2 hours, longer for complex reconstruction
Setting: Day-case procedure
Surgical Steps:
Correcting the septum
The surgeon straightens deviated cartilage and bone
Obstructing spurs or bends are removed
The airway is widened to improve breathing
Reshaping nasal bones and cartilage
Dorsal humps can be smoothed
Broken or twisted nasal bones can be realigned
Cartilage is sculpted to refine the tip or improve symmetry
Grafting (if required)
Cartilage from the septum is often used to strengthen weak areas
Grafts help support breathing long-term and prevent collapse
Closing incisions
Closed approach: internal only
Open approach: tiny columella incision, sutured to heal as a fine line
Once complete, a small external splint is placed to support the new structure while it settles.
Septorhinoplasty can be performed using either a closed (endonasal) or open (external) approach.
Closed Septorhinoplasty
All incisions are made inside the nostrils
No external scar
Reduced swelling and faster recovery
Ideal for hump removal, septal correction, and moderate reshaping
Open Septorhinoplasty
Small incision across the columella
Allows full exposure of nasal structures
Essential for complex deformities, tip reconstruction, major asymmetry, trauma, and revision cases
The technique used depends entirely on the level of structural correction required. Whenever possible, surgeons choose the closed method to minimise swelling and downtime.
On the same day of your surgery, you’ll be able to go home.
It will not be possible for you to drive, so someone will need to accompany you. If you have no one with you, our London team will arrange a complimentary chauffeur ride to your home or hotel.
We will provide you with advice about your recovery and arrange follow-up appointments for your assessment.
The recovery process and timeline after septorhinoplasty are virtually the same as after any other nose job procedure. You can read all the details on our rhinoplasty aftercare page but here are some of the main points:
Any packing placed inside your nose is usually removed the next day. In case of closed surgery, you might not even need this.
Approximately one week after surgery, the surgeon will remove the splint.
Using an extra pillow at night to elevate your head and not blowing your nose will aid in the healing process and relieve the excess fluid.
Following your procedure, you should take a couple of weeks off from work and avoid strenuous activity.
Most of the healing will be done in 4-6 weeks following the procedure but the final result will likely take months to appear.
The results of our past surgeries featured on our rhinoplasty before and after page include septorhinoplasty cases as well.
Remember, septorhinoplasty involves the same cosmetic elements of a rhinoplasty surgery so the aesthetic results will be very similar.
While some clinics might charge you extra for septorhinoplasty, the correction of a deviated septum is included in our regular rhinoplasty package.
Our all-inclusive price is £7950 (as of 2024), which includes the full cost of your surgery including the £100 consultation, pre-assessment, the full procedure and medications, garments, complimentary ride home, and our exceptional aftercare.
Some of the benefits of a septorhinoplasty procedure include:
Just as any other surgery, septorhinoplasty also involves some possible risks to the patient. It is important that you are aware of these before you make the final decision on whether or not this is the right procedure for you.
Our Consultant Rhinoplasty Surgeon supported by our experienced London team will ensure that the utmost care is taken at every step to avoid these complications.
Here is a list of possible issues that have been reported in the past after surgery:
The correction of a deviated septum is only possible with surgery. However, if you don’t have any major cosmetic issues with your nose, you might opt for septoplasty instead of septorhinoplasty.
Since septoplasty is a purely medical procedure, medical insurance is likely to cover the cost of this surgery.
You then have some non-surgical options to correct minor aesthetic imperfections to your nose.
Septorhinoplasty is a combined procedure that corrects a deviated septum to improve breathing while also reshaping the nose for cosmetic refinement. It addresses both function and appearance in a single surgery.
Rhinoplasty focuses on cosmetic changes to the nose, while septorhinoplasty includes both cosmetic reshaping and functional correction of nasal obstruction caused by a deviated septum.
Most septorhinoplasty procedures take 1 to 2 hours, depending on whether the surgery is performed using a closed or open approach and how many cosmetic changes are planned.
Most patients can return to light activities within 1–2 weeks. Swelling reduces significantly by 4–6 weeks, but final results — especially tip refinement — may take 6–12 months to fully settle.
Yes. Correcting the deviated septum typically improves nasal airflow, reduces blockage, and can ease breathing during sleep and exercise.
Discomfort is usually mild to moderate in the first few days and managed effectively with prescribed pain relief. Most patients describe pressure or congestion more than sharp pain.
Risks include bleeding, infection, prolonged swelling, reduced sense of smell, internal scar tissue, or septal perforation. Choosing an experienced surgeon significantly reduces complication rates.
Patient Journey We are here to guide you to make the right decision for your well-being. If you are considering an aesthetic change to your appearance, we know that it’s one of the most important and personal decisions you wish to make. Therefore you need to be certain that the medical advice you receive is […]
Patient Aftercare All cosmetic surgery procedures at Berkeley Square Medical come with a comprehensive aftercare package and a 24-hour service so you can be assured you are always under the care and guidance of our surgical team. All your immediate aftercare is included in the cost of your surgery so there are no hidden extras in our […]
If you are considering Cosmetic Surgery, we understand that it's probably one of the most important decisions you're likely to make, therefore, you need to be sure it's right for you and you receive professional and independent advice about your procedure.
Our Philosophy We began our journey setting foot in the highly fashionable area of Berkeley Square, Mayfair where luxury fashion, galleries and five-star hotels all conveniently meet to set the example for world-leading client services and experience. Our goal was to create a cosmetic surgery practice that would not only exceed patients’ expectations but provide […]
