Anyone over 18 who is not satisfied with the appearance of his/her nose (bridge, tip, wings or the whole nose).
Anyone who has breathing problems due to a partial or total occlusion of the nostrils, which can be either a congenital or an acquired flaw (traumas, diseases, previous surgeries gone bad).
Actually in case the patient just wishes to improve the appearance of his/her nose, an aesthetic rhinoplasty surgery should be performed, while in case of breathing problems the patient should be considered a candidate for functional septoplasty surgery. However the aesthetic issue is very often related to the fuctional one, therefore the two procedures can be described together under the name of rhinoseptoplasty.
The choices of which procedure to undergo and which technique to use will be discussed with the surgeon during the first visit in order to clarify every possible doubt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCEDURE

This procedure can be performed only in operating rooms under general anaesthesia.
Since the surgical techniques are different and very complex, all the details of the procedure have to be explained during the visit with the surgeon (see below) also according to the type of surgery needed. What can be said here is that the surgical techniques are divided into two main branches: the "open" method (that leaves a small scar) and the transmucosal one (no scars left), and that the technique is chosen not only according to the surgeon or the patient's taste, but more often after the evaluation of the patient's situation and expectations.
In almost all the cases the procedure involves reshaping and/or removing small amounts of cartilage and/or nose bones.

POST-OPERATIVE PHASE AND CONVALESCENCE

At the end of the surgery a "small plaster cast" (splint) will be applied in order to cover the nose bridge, and will be removed in the space of 7-14 days. Two tampons will be places inside the nostrils and will be removed in the space of 24-72 hours.
This procedure may require at least a one-night hospitalization, unless the patient asks not to or it is not considered necessary by the surgeon or the anaesthetist.
In the first post-operative days the eyes may look edematose (swollen) and often ecchymotic (purple bruises that turn yellowish after a few days and eventually disappear). The part of the nose that usually gets swollen is the tip, and this condition will last 7-14 days, depending on the patient's predisposition. During this time it is very hard to be able to wear eyeglasses, especially the nose pads types.
It is possible to feel a general unpleasant sensation until the tampons are removed, most of the time within the first 24 hours after the surgery.
The patient usually feels very little post-operative pain, which can be easily managed with painkillers.
During the first 7-15 days after the procedure the patient has to take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, or even other types of drugs if the surgeon or the anaesthetist find it necessary, and also a topical treatment with creams and sprays will be prescribed.
Intense physical activities and exercises must be suspended for about 30 days.

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

Just as after every surgical procedure some bleeding might occur. If it doesn't stop spontaneously or after the first wound dressing performed by the medical staff, it is necessary to take the patient back into the operating room and stop the haemorrhage. This might sound scary and annoying, but it has to be done in order to avoid permanent hematomas, and has no effects on a correctly performed surgery whatsoever.
Even though most of the people who are interested in this surgery are usually worried that their appearance will dramatically change, the great majority of the patients are extremely satisfied with both functional and aesthetic results.
If the surgery is performed properly and with the right technique, it doesn't need to be re-performed.
If the procedure is performed in a safe environment (Hospital operating rooms, Clinics and accredited Extended Care Facilities) and by qualified physicians (surgeon, assistant surgeon, surgical technologist, anaesthetist and operating room staff) there is no risk of major complications, as long as the patient follows thoroughly all the post-operative instructions given by the medical staff.

COSTS

Considering the wide range of prices asked by the different Extended Care Facilities (and the huge importance of performing the procedure in safe facilities), the fees for the anaesthetists and for the surgical and nursing staff, this procedure can cost from 4.000€ up to 7.000€.