[Reporter Hee-won Jung] Rhinitis, a common nasal condition, tends to worsen in winter rather than summer. This is because cold outdoor air and the use of indoor heating create a dry environment. The resulting symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing can interfere with daily life. 

 

If left untreated, the symptoms can worsen and lead to various difficulties such as reduced concentration, headaches, and insomnia, so it is best to seek treatment promptly. If the cause is a structural problem of the nose rather than allergic rhinitis triggered by a specific allergen, functional rhinoplasty may be considered. 

 

Functional rhinoplasty is a method that treats such nasal conditions while also reshaping the nose for cosmetic purposes. It can be applied to various nasal conditions, including deviated septum, rhinitis, nasal valve stenosis, sinusitis, and paranasal sinusitis. 

 

 

Among these, a deviated septum is a condition in which the septum located in the center of the nose is bent, which can cause not only rhinitis symptoms but also difficulty breathing smoothly and various other symptoms.  

 

The nasal valve referred to in nasal valve stenosis is a roof-like space located at the top of the septum inside the nose, and it is the key area that regulates airflow. A nose with a narrow nasal valve causes severe congestion and in most cases the nasal bridge appears low; for such a nose, straightening the bent area helps restore normal function and improve the low bridge. 

 

 

Functional nose surgery for conditions such as a deviated septum or nasal valve stenosis is considered highly complex, because functional improvement and cosmetic improvement must both be achieved in a single operation. To achieve high satisfaction, good results can be obtained by finding a clinic where both an ENT specialist and a board-certified plastic surgeon are on staff and collaboration is possible during surgery.

 

It is also important to check whether the clinic is capable of precise analysis and prediction using equipment such as 3D-CT. The stability of the surgery can be enhanced only when the size, condition, shape, and structure of the nasal bones, septal cartilage, and internal skin tissue—which cannot be seen with the naked eye—are examined three-dimensionally and the surgical plan is established accordingly.

 

 

Dr. Seung-je Sung of NANA Plastic Surgery advised, "If you are experiencing discomfort due to a functional problem in the nose, which performs important functions, it is advisable to consider surgery. Since the surgery must be performed with a clear understanding of the structure and function of the nose and in harmony with the balance of the entire face, in order to achieve satisfaction in both function and aesthetics, you should check whether collaboration between a board-certified plastic surgeon and an ENT specialist is possible when choosing a clinic." 

 

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Source: Segye Biz (http://www.segyebiz.com/)