[Functional problems before and after rhinoplasty]

Rhinoplasties raise relatively specific esthetic problems, but less clearly defined functional problems, particularly in the presence of respiratory obstructive disorders. Nasal mucosal obstructions are essentially due to vasomotor rhinitis (allergic or nonallergic) which becomes chronic. They must be controlled medically as they often induce postoperative respiratory distress. Structural nasal obstructions (septal, turbinates, valves) essentially raise problems of operative indications, particularly for deviated septa. Various clinical, radiological, and rhinomanometric criteria allow evaluation of the structures involved in the increased nasal resistance, definition of the operative indication, selection of the most appropriate surgical technique and quantification of the preoperative and postoperative results.