What is the difference between a septoplasty and a rhinoplasty?

Many patients are confused about the difference between a septoplasty and a rhinoplasty.

A rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that improves the external nasal appearance. For example, a hump can be reduced or the tip can be defined and thinned.

A septoplasty is a functional procedure that straightens the deviated septal cartilage inside the nose. This improves the airway and allows patients to breath better. Many times, the turbinates are reduced to help breathing even more.

I often combine both procedures to improve the appearance and the breathing at the same time.