The first segment of the airway performs many functions, some of which vital. The nose is responsible for triggering immune responses to inhaled micro-organisms, the sense of smell, regulation of air humidity and temperature. The term “functional nasal surgery” refers to improving respiratory problems rather than altering the external appearance of the nose. However, the intimate relationship between form and functions makes separation of these interwoven factors practically impossible.
The innate relationship between the shape of the nose and its function translates into the inability to segregate these 2 factors. Therefore, rhinoplasty cannot be simply considered a “retouching” of the external appearance. The rhinoplasty surgeon carefully plans, and executes the minutest detail of the operation based on the principle of the inseparability of shape and function.
