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Study Finds Nasal Deviation Affects Quality of Life

nasal deviation and quality of lifePeople often consider rhinoplasty to change the shape of their nose for cosmetic reasons, but others may choose nose surgery to help relieve nasal obstructions or after a facial injury. A new study found those with nasal deviation â?? when the nasal septum is not in the midline of the nose, which can cause obstruction â?? are more prone to depression.

The study, published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal, looked at health-related quality of life, as well as self-esteem and depression in patients with nasal deviation.

The study had 66 participants: 32 patients with congenital nasal deviation (mean age of 27.5 years) and 28 without nasal deviation (median age, 29.5 years) as a control group. The patientsâ?? quality of life was measured by several questionnaires, which evaluated characteristics such as general health, social functioning, mental health and self-esteem.

The results showed that depression was detected in 34 percent of nasal deviation patients, compared with just 7 percent (2 people) of the control group. In addition, there were significant differences between the groups in physical functioning and general health

The researchers concluded that nasal deviation is a scope of rhinoplasty that the plastic surgeon should be aware of, as this group has significantly worse quality of life and is more prone to depression.

Learn more about nose surgery.

In In the News, Nose Surgery

Nose Tip Asymmetry Top Reason Patients Seek Second Nose Surgery

Woman's noseWhatâ??s the number one reason a rhinoplasty patient considers getting a second nose surgery? Dissatisfaction with the symmetry of the nose tip, according to a new study.

Dr. Kathy Yu, of Columbia College and Cornell University, New York, and colleagues surveyed 104 patients who were seeking nose revision surgery in 2008 and 2009 and asked them why they wanted the second operation. The top three reasons were:

1. Nose tip asymmetry

2. Difficulty breathing or nasal obstruction

3. A crooked middle third of the nose

However, a surgeon who examined the revision rhinoplasty candidates cited slightly different findings than patients, which suggests that communication about nasal surgery could be improved.

The surgeon who consulted the patients reported three primary aesthetic reasons for revision:

1. Tip asymmetry

2. A crooked middle third

3. Irregularities in the upper third of the nose

Sixty-four (62 percent) of patients reported breathing problems or other issues with nasal obstructions. The surgeon confirmed this problem in 60 (94 percent) of those patients, the researchers found.

“The discrepancy between patient concerns and surgeon findings arose for a variety of reasons,” the authors wrote. “One of the main reasons is the surgeon’s use of a conventional set of anatomical boundaries, specifically regarding the upper vs. middle third of the nose. Patients often do not have intricate knowledge of nasal anatomy to properly distinguish between nasal thirds.”

The researchers concluded that their findings â??emphasize the importance of physician awareness of patients’ concerns, understanding the causes of post-surgical nasal obstruction and clearly explaining nasal aesthetics to patients seeking revision rhinoplasty.”

Between 5 percent to 15 percent of nose surgery patients want revision surgery, according to Dr. Yu.

The report, Functional and Aesthetic Concerns of Patients Seeking Revision Rhinoplasty, appears in the September/October issue of the journal Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery.

In Plastic Surgery

A Young Woman’s Rhinoplasty Story on Project Beauty

I think I have more of a petite face and my nose was kind of overbearing, says Allison, a teenager from Staten Island. Allison explains her desire to undergo rhinoplasty, how she found a board-certified plastic surgeon, and how the surgery changed her life.

She’s featured in this video on Project Beauty, a brand new consumer advice website launched by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Rhinoplasty = Nose Reshaping

Rhinoplasty can be translated into “nose-shaping.” Many surgical techniques exist to alter the shape of your nose. If your nose appears disproportional or unbalanced, rhinoplasty can help. If your nose is short, long, wide, narrow, crooked, or just large, there are ways to reshape it while maintaining a natural appearance.

Two Methods

Plastic surgeons are performing this procedure with two basic techniques: the closed technique and open technique. In the closed technique (which is used on most patients), all incisions are made inside your nose and the skin is not lifted away from the bone and cartilage. In the open technique, the plastic surgeon lifts the skin to obtain a clear view of the underlying nasal structure.

Finding the ideal nose shape

Because your face has a different size and shape than the next person, your ideal nose will differ as well. You also have to take ethnic considerations into account, as many patients do not wish to completely erase these characteristics.

Aside these relative aspects of rhinoplasty, there are general aesthetic qualities that almost everyone will find appealing. Most agree that the nasal dorsum should be straight, the tip should be somewhat narrow, and a small dip should be present between the nasal dorsum and the tip. Ask your plastic surgeon to show you photos of these qualities during your consultation.

A Possible Alternative

In some cases, the nose actually exhibits a normal shape and proportion, but it appears unbalanced because of a weak chin. A facial implant or chin augmentation procedure can often solve this problem by increasing the projection of your chin.

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