Functional Rhinoplasty - SM Plastic Surgery

Where the operation is classified as treatment for a nasal condition, cover may apply depending on the private or indemnity insurance you hold. Only surgery or treatment carried out for therapeutic purposes is eligible for indemnity cover, and this is not something that applies only at our clinic. Whether cover applies, and to what extent, differs with the terms of the policy you hold.

This is the cartilage at the centre of the nose that holds its midline. When the septal cartilage deviates, airflow narrows on one side, which can bring on rhinitis or sinusitis, and the line of the nose is often crooked as well. Septal correction straightens the deviated septum and can refine the nose line at the same time.

The nasal valve regulates breathing; when the area above the tip hollows, the airway narrows, bringing nasal obstruction, and the bridge is often low as well. Surgery that widens the narrowed valve can make breathing easier.

Yes. When chronic rhinitis persists, the mucosa or bony structure of the inferior turbinate inside the nose enlarges, bringing symptoms such as nasal obstruction, snoring and impaired smell. Radiofrequency reduction of the mucosa and similar approaches can restore an open airway.

Yes — it is the heart of functional rhinoplasty at SM Plastic Surgery. Surgery for the nasal condition and rhinoplasty are carried out in one operation, addressing the outside and inside of the nose together. Anaesthesia and recovery are needed only once, and the degree of improvement varies with the state of the nose.

Surgery takes about 1 hour, with sutures out after 5–7 days. Around 2–3 follow-up visits are needed, with no hospital stay. A return to daily life is possible after 7–14 days.

Nasal congestion has different causes, such as a deviated septum, an enlarged inferior turbinate, or a narrowed nasal valve. At SM Plastic Surgery we first identify which area is narrowed through examination and any necessary tests, and then decide on the surgical method. The degree of improvement varies from person to person depending on the condition of the nose.

During the examination we look at the condition of the mucous membrane inside the nose, how far the septal cartilage is deviated, and the size of the inferior turbinate. Congestion caused by swollen mucosa and congestion caused by a narrowed structure are handled differently, so we separate the cause at the pre-operative assessment before planning the surgery.

Functional rhinoplasty combines surgery for nasal conditions with cosmetic rhinoplasty in a single operation, and sinusitis is one of the conditions covered. However, the extent and order of the surgery may change depending on the state and progression of the inflammation, so this is decided after examination before surgery.

A bent or fractured nasal bone is also treated within functional rhinoplasty. Before surgery we check the size, shape and degree of deviation of the nasal bone and septal cartilage, the condition of the skin tissue and any asymmetry, and carry out the necessary tests to decide how far the correction should go.

Nasal conditions that appear after a previous rhinoplasty are also treated here. We first check whether an implant was used and what type it was, along with any changes to the internal structure, and then plan the restoration of function together with the correction of the shape. If you have records of the earlier surgery, bringing them to the consultation is helpful.

Functional rhinoplasty is performed under sedation anaesthesia and takes about one hour. Sedation is administered by Director Lee Muyoung himself, and no hospital stay is required. The type of anaesthesia and the length of surgery may change depending on the range of procedures carried out together and on your general health, so this is explained again at the consultation.

After surgery the clinic issues the documents required by the insurer, such as a medical certificate and a surgery confirmation. We also explain the claim procedure and which papers to prepare. Whether a payment is made, and how much of it is covered, depends on the terms of the indemnity policy you hold.

Functional rhinoplasty carries out functional procedures such as septal correction, turbinate reduction and nasal valve reconstruction together with cosmetic rhinoplasty in a single operation. Compared with having the two done separately, anaesthesia and the recovery period are needed only once. The degree of improvement varies with the condition of the nose.

The course after surgery differs depending on whether the congestion came from a structural problem or from inflammation of the mucosa, so symptoms may still be felt with the season or with the state of rhinitis. We check your progress at the scheduled follow-up visits, and if the discomfort continues we look at the cause again and advise you.