Does Nose Surgery Cause Nasal Congestion? Structural Risks and Countermeasures

Avoid regret with nose surgery! Risk of "nasal congestion" you should know and solutions

To obtain an ideal nose and feel confident in myself. With that wish,Nose surgery (dorsal augmentation, nose tip reshaping, etc.)is being considered by an increasing number of women in their 20s to 40s. However, on SNS and review sites,"I developed nasal congestion after nose surgery" "It became harder to breathe"many people feel anxious seeing such comments.The relationship between nose surgery and respiratory functionis a theme that cannot be ignored when considering surgery.

Even if appearance improves, it defeats the purpose if breathing becomes difficult. Actually, inside the nose, there is a place like a "gate that controls the airway." If you ignore it and prioritize appearance alone, breathing problems are likely to occur. First, consult with a doctor and consider a method suitable for you.

What is the nasal valve (nasal valve)? The "gatekeeper" controlling the airway

The most important role in breathing smoothly through the nose is played bythe "nasal valve (nasal valve)"is a part called. This is the narrowest place in the nasal passage. Therefore, it has a very delicate structure that regulates air flow and resistance. The nasal valve is roughly divided into "internal nasal valve" and "external nasal valve" in 2 locations.

Internal nasal valve (Internal Valve)

It is located slightly inside the nostril, in the part that corresponds to the roof of the nose. Specifically, it is an area surrounded by the nasal septum (central partition), the lower end of the upper lateral nasal cartilage, and the head side of the inferior turbinate. Even if this narrows slightly, you may feel strong difficulty breathing.

External nasal valve (External Valve)

It is the area from the nostril entrance to the internal nasal valve. It is composed of the ala of the nose (ala nasi), the alar cartilage, and the nasal floor. Also, the strength and shape of the ala nasi greatly influence the air flow in this area.

Therefore, whether these two "gates" maintain an appropriate width during breathing is the key to a comfortable life without nasal congestion.

Causes of nasal congestion from nose surgery: Why does cosmetic surgery affect it?

Why does surgery to create a beautiful nose affect breathing? Academic research points out a history of underestimating nasal valve function in pursuit of aesthetic beauty. Therefore, I have summarized the main causes below.

Making the nasal bridge too thin (collapse of the middle vault): When the nasal hump (step) is shaved down or osteotomy is performed, the upper lateral nasal cartilage becomes unstable. Therefore, with each breath, the internal nasal valve collapses inward, narrowing the airway.
Insufficient strength of the ala nasi: In the process of making the nasal tip thin and high, if the cartilage of the ala is excessively removed or forced into an unnatural shape, the support for the external nasal valve weakens. On the other hand, "collapse" occurs where the ala cares inward when breathing in, causing nasal congestion.
Nasal septal deviation: There are cases where surgery is performed without realizing that the nasal septum is already curved. Also, as the nose becomes thinner, the narrowness of the airway that was previously hidden may become apparent.

In this way,"wanting to make the nose thinner" "wanting to make the nasal tip pointed" Aesthetic requests physically compress the airwaywhich becomes the main cause of respiratory disorders after surgery.

Procedure Comparison

Procedure

Indications

Recovery Period

Risk

Features

Rhinoplasty

Heighten bridge of nose

2–3 weeks

Low to Medium

Implant (prosthesis) or autologous tissue

Nose tip sculpting

Bulbous nose correction

2–4 weeks

Low

Refined and sharp nose tip

※ Costs and recovery periods vary by individual

Cost estimate

Rhinoplasty¥300,000–¥800,000

Nose tip reshaping

¥300,000–600,000

Solutions and surgical technique explanation: Technology to achieve both function and beauty

In modern nose surgery, many "functional rhinoplasty techniques" have been developed to prevent respiratory problems while creating a beautiful shape. Also, the following explains representative solutions introduced in academic papers.

Spreader Graft

The most standard method to prevent narrowing of the "internal nasal valve"is. A piece of cartilage from your own nasal septum or ear is shaped into a board and grafted to fit between the nasal septum and upper lateral nasal cartilage.

【Benefits for patients】:It acts as a "support" that widens and supports the nasal roof from the inside. Therefore, by using it in combination with surgery to thin the nasal bridge, it aims to prevent future respiratory disorders. It also has the effect of beautifully refining the nasal bridge line (Dorsal Aesthetic Line).

Spreader Flap

Instead of grafting cartilage, part of the existing upper lateral nasal cartilage is folded inward. On the other hand, when there is a shortage of cartilage for grafting or when certain conditions are met, it becomes an extremely effective alternative.

Alar Batten Graft

A method used to prevent collapse of the "external nasal valve"is. A curved piece of cartilage is embedded in the wall of the ala nasi to reinforce it.

【Benefits for patients】:It prevents the ala from caving inward when breathing in strongly. It is also used in revision surgery for people whose ala was originally thin or weakened by past surgery.

Butterfly Graft

A piece of cartilage shaped like butterfly wings spread is placed in the middle of the nasal bridge.

【Benefits for patients】:It has a powerful effect in widening the nasal valve. Therefore, according to research, breathing improvement has been reported in many patients, and there is a high tendency for satisfaction with appearance. On the other hand, the nose may look slightly thicker, so design adjustment is important.

Lateral Crural Strut Graft

A long piece of cartilage is placed on the back of the nasal tip cartilage for reinforcement.

【Benefits for patients】:It refines the shape of the nasal tip while strongly supporting the ala wall. Therefore, it is one of the excellent surgical techniques that aims to achieve both sharp appearance and airflow assurance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Does nose surgery always cause nasal congestion?

No, it does not always occur. A doctor knowledgeable about nasal function canperform surgery while appropriately protecting and reinforcing the nasal valve, aiming to prevent respiratory disorders.Also, in the case of those who originally have breathing problems, by performing procedures that improve function at the same time as the cosmetic surgery, breathing may become easier after surgery.

Q2. If my nose gets congested after surgery, can it be fixed later?

Yes, revision surgery can aim to improve it. For cases where past surgery excessively shaved cartilage or caused collapse, methods using Spreader Graft or Alar Batten Graft to rebuild function have been reported. Therefore, even if tissue has changed once, there may be a possibility of addressing it. However, generally, more advanced techniques are required than the first surgery. Also,Column list about nose surgeryprovides detailed information about revision surgery that you can check.

Q3. Could the grafted cartilage protrude visibly from the outside?

If technically placed in the appropriate position and skin thickness is taken into consideration, it is rare for it to protrude unnaturally. For example, a Spreader Graft is embedded inside the nose, so it is not visible from the surface. On the other hand, Alar Batten Grafts and others may be felt as a slight bulge in people with thin skin. Therefore, doctors thin the cartilage and adjust the placement so it is not noticeable.

Q4. Does the effect last semi-permanently?

Grafts using autologous cartilage (cartilage taken from your own body) integrate as part of your body, solong-term stable support effect can be expected.Also, compared to artificial materials, there is an advantage in that the risk of exposure and infection tends to be lower.

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Summary: Understand nose surgery and nasal congestion correctly for a choice without regret

The problem of postoperative respiratory disorders occurs as a result of pursuing only aesthetic beauty and neglecting "nasal valve (nasal valve)," an important function of the nose. Therefore, by appropriately combining specialized surgical techniques such asSpreader GraftandAlar Batten Graftintroduced this time, we can aim to achieve both ideal shape and comfortable breathing.

What is important is to tell your doctor during consultation that "you are concerned about respiratory function." Also,confirm not only appearance design but also how the nose structure and function will be maintained and improvedcarefully. Trusted clinics conduct detailed examinations of nasal valve status (such as Cottle test) during pre-operative consultations and propose surgical techniques tailored to individual risks.

Furthermore, details of nasal valve surgery are described in medical papers such as Apaydin (2011)'s "Nasal Valve Surgery," and current treatment techniques have been established through this research. Please consult with your doctor for more specialized information.

About the author of this article

Hiromitsu NakamuraPhysician

Zetith Beauty Clinic Ginza, Osaka, Fukuoka

He has a track record of research presentations at domestic and international academic conferences and is also involved in technical guidance and education for Zetith Beauty Clinic as a whole. Specializing in precise nose surgery based on anatomical evidence, pursuing natural results tailored to each person's bone structure and tissue.

References

Apaydin F. Nasal Valve Surgery. Facial Plastic Surgery. 2011 (DOI)
Brown S, Brown T, Rohrich R. Clinical Applications of Tranexamic Acid in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 2024 (DOI)