Chronic nasal obstruction: functional septorhinoplasty

A deviated nasal septum, usually with turbinate hypertrophy, causes chronic breathing obstruction, snoring and sleep apnoea, recurrent sinusitis and headaches. It is a functional condition often mistaken for a purely cosmetic request.

Septorhinoplasty addresses internal airflow (septum, turbinates, nasal valve) and external bone and cartilage reshaping in a single operation. More than 90% of patients report a dramatic improvement in breathing quality, and ultrasonic or piezoelectric techniques allow more precise bone work with less bruising.

Risks include bleeding, septal perforation, temporary loss of smell and residual asymmetry that may require revision surgery; clarify from the start whether the clinic covers that revision. Swelling takes months to settle fully, flying is discouraged in the first days and contact sports must wait weeks.

Turkey is the undisputed world leader in functional and ultrasonic rhinoplasty, with very high volume clinics in Istanbul and Izmir. South Korea is known for structured techniques with cartilage grafts, and Thailand offers excellent multidisciplinary hospitals for complex ENT cases. The range is EUR 2,500 to 5,500, with seven to ten day stays.

At medviajes we compare accredited clinics, check that a functional and not merely aesthetic assessment takes place, and organise the whole trip including reviews. Confirm the indication with a qualified ENT or facial surgeon.