Functional Rhinoplasty in Older Adults: Effects on Appearance, Psychological Well-Being, and Quality of Life

Functional rhinoplasty is commonly performed to improve nasal airflow in patients with septal deviation and nasal valve dysfunction. However, its broader effects on appearance, psychological well-being, and quality of life in elderly patients have not been well studied. This study evaluated postoperative improvements in appearance, psychological quality of life (QOL), and breathing in elderly patients undergoing functional rhinoplasty.

This retrospective observational study included patients aged 65 years or older who underwent functional rhinoplasty. Because preoperative assessments were not available, patients completed a postoperative retrospective improvement-score questionnaire. Appearance improvement (4 items) and psychological/QOL improvement (8 items) were rated using 5-point Likert scales, and breathing comfort was assessed using a 0-10 visual analog scale. Descriptive statistics and visual analyses, including boxplots, histograms, and scatter plots, were performed.

Thirty patients were included in the analysis. Both appearance and psychological/QOL scores demonstrated consistently high levels of postoperative improvement. Score distributions were concentrated in the moderate-to-high range, and scatter analysis showed a positive association between appearance satisfaction and psychological/QOL outcomes. Breathing VAS scores also indicated improvement in subjective nasal airflow.

Functional rhinoplasty in elderly patients appears to provide multidimensional benefits beyond airway correction. Improvements in appearance and psychological/QOL suggest enhanced confidence, emotional stability, and daily functioning. These findings support a broader concept of surgical success that includes functional, psychological, and humanistic aspects of well-being and suggest that functional rhinoplasty may contribute to psychological well-being and self-perception in elderly patients.

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