Does Previous Septoplasty Affect Rhinoplasty Outcomes? A Comparative Analysis of Functional, Psychological and...

Background: Patient satisfaction after rhinoseptoplasty depends on both functional outcomes and subjective factors, including self-perception, self-esteem and psychological well-being. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in 75 patients qualified for rhinoseptoplasty as follows: 47 women, 62.7%, and 28 men, 37.3%, aged 18-63 years, M = 34.24, and SD = 10.53. Twenty-seven patients (36%) had undergone previous septoplasty, including seven (9.3%) who required auricular cartilage grafting, while 48 patients (64%) had no prior septal surgery. Validated the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE), the Standardised Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (SCHNOS) and the Nasal Obstruction Symp-tom Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaires were completed preoperatively and at 1 and 6 months postoperatively. Quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organisation Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and self-esteem with Self-Esteem Scale, both before and after surgery. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS 29.0, with α = 0.05. Results: The groups showed improvement in aesthetic outcomes. Previous septoplasty was associated with lower overall rhinoplasty satisfaction at one month and lower cosmetic satisfaction at one and six months compared with primary cases (i.e., higher SCHNOS- Cosmesis (SCHNOS-C) scores, on which higher values denote greater dissatisfaction). NOSE scores improved markedly in both groups, while quality of life and self-esteem increased significantly after surgery, regardless of surgical history. Conclusions: Rhinoseptoplasty was followed by significant improvement in nasal function, quality of life and self-esteem; in the absence of a non-operated control group, these changes represent observed pre- to postoperative change rather than proof of surgical causation. Previous septoplasty may be associated with less favourable early functional and aesthetic recovery, but it does not prevent meaningful postoperative improvement. These patients may require more detailed preoperative planning and counselling.