Q: I am an Asian female, and I was recently head-butted directly onto the bridge of my nose. My nose physically feels different (indented) and my breathing feels different ever since the injury. It has been 2 weeks now. Bruising and swelling have gone down. I did research & many Asian-rhinoplasty specialists state there’s an anatomical difference between Asian noses and other ethnicities. Will a regular Otolaryngologist [without much experience with Asian noses] be able to diagnose/evaluate me effectively?

A: Anatomically there certainly are differences, but a well-trained otolaryngologist will be able to account for these.  When it comes to a closed reduction of a fracture, sinus surgery, or septoplasty, you can expect excellent treatment from an otolaryngologist.

The need for an Asian rhinoplasty specialist comes into play more during rhinoplasty – or reshaping of the nose.  This is because the aesthetics of the Asian nose certainly are different from other ethnicities, and it’s important to seek out a surgeon familiar with the subtleties and nuances of your nose – and knows which techniques will achieve the best results during surgery.