Can You Have Sinus Surgery and Revision Rhinoplasty at the Same Time?
If you have sinusitis and want revision rhinoplasty, you may worry whether both can be done at the same time. Since you want revision rhinoplasty anyway, you may want sinus treatment at the same time so you do not have to go through the pain and recovery more than once.
S45 Clinic offers revision rhinoplasty consultations for people with sinus conditions. The surgeon assesses the nose structure and sinus symptoms and plans suitable care for each person.
What Are the Sinuses?
The sinuses are air-filled spaces in the skull. There are 4 pairs around the nose:
- the frontal sinuses, above the eyebrows
- the maxillary sinuses, below the eyes and beside the nose (the largest)
- the ethmoid sinuses, between the eyes
- the sphenoid sinuses, behind the nose
What Do the Sinuses Do?
- make the skull lighter and filled with air
- control the temperature of the air you breathe in
- give the voice resonance
- cushion impact to the face
What Is Sinusitis?
Sinusitis is when the lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed and swollen, blocking the channels that drain mucus so that mucus builds up. This allows bacteria to grow and spread, making the inflammation worse.
Symptoms of Sinusitis
- pain in the forehead, cheeks or between the eyes, around the sinuses
- thick yellow or green mucus with a bad smell
- a blocked nose and difficulty breathing
- headaches, especially in the morning
- a fever (a high fever if the inflammation is severe)
- a bad smell in the nose and food tasting unusual
Sinus problems caused by an abnormal nose structure lead to repeated sinusitis, which may be treated by correcting the nose structure.
Can Revision Rhinoplasty and Sinus Care Be Done at the Same Time?
Sinus treatment and revision rhinoplasty or rhinoplasty can be done at the same time, in surgery called ‘septorhinoplasty + FESS’. This involves:
- septoplasty, correcting a deviated septum
- rhinoplasty, augmenting or reshaping the outside of the nose
- FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery), which is sinus surgery
Benefits of Revision Rhinoplasty and Sinus Treatment at the Same Time
- one operation, so you do not go into the operating theatre 2 times, which saves time, means you do not need to take time off work or study 2 times, and means one general anaesthetic, reducing other risks
- lower costs, as operating theatre and other costs are paid once, 30% to 40% less than having them separately
- one recovery period (downtime) of 10 to 14 days (depending on each person’s health), instead of recovering 2 times
- both problems treated in one operation, correcting the internal structure such as the septum or nasal bone, clearing the sinuses, removing pus and polyps, and reshaping the nose with definition to suit the face
- correcting the internal structure helps the sinuses drain well and lowers the chance of inflammation coming back (follow your surgeon’s advice closely)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Wait for Sinusitis to Clear Before Revision Rhinoplasty?
Not necessarily. If chronic sinusitis has lasted less than 3 months and is caused by an abnormal nose structure, doing both at the same time is recommended, because correcting the structure helps the sinuses drain well and lowers the chance of inflammation coming back.
If you have revision rhinoplasty first but do not treat the sinuses, the sinusitis may come back and you may need another operation. If you have acute sinusitis with a fever and a lot of pus, it should be treated with medicine for 2 to 4 weeks first, before revision rhinoplasty with sinus treatment.
How Much Does Revision Rhinoplasty With Sinus Care Cost?
It depends on how complex each case is, and the price varies with the actual problem each person has.
Does Revision Rhinoplasty With Sinus Care Hurt, and How Many Days Do I Need to Rest?
During open revision rhinoplasty, the anaesthetist gives you a general anaesthetic, so you do not feel anything or feel pain during surgery. After surgery you will have pain and swelling for about 3 to 7 days, which painkillers can relieve.
Recovery Time After Revision Rhinoplasty
- days 1 to 7: rest fully, with nasal packing and swelling
- days 8 to 14: light work is possible
- week 3 onwards: return to normal work (swelling has gone down a lot)
After Surgery, Will My Sinuses Never Become Inflamed Again?
The chance of it coming back is reduced by 80% to 90%. This depends on each person.
If I Have Allergies, Can I Have Revision Rhinoplasty, and Which Rhinoplasty Material Should I Choose?
For people with allergies, surgery to reduce internal structures that block the airway can help you breathe more easily.
Sinus Surgery Can Help Nasal Sprays Work Better and Make Allergies Easier to Control
Rhinoplasty materials suitable for people with allergies:
- your own cartilage, with a 0% to 1% chance of an allergic reaction
- PCL or Gore-Tex, with a 1% to 5% chance of an allergic reaction
- silicone rhinoplasty is not recommended
Note: Repeat nose surgery, which many people know as ‘nose reshaping’, is surgery for people who have had nose surgery before and need a further assessment by a surgeon. The approach to care depends on the original problem, the nose structure and the surgeon’s judgement in each case.
