Nasal surgery is my passion. My goal: to find the best possible solution for each individual situation, so that you can soon return to pursuing your personal passions without worry.
Follow-up surgery after septoplasty
Breathe deeply and regain your quality of life
Follow-up surgery after septoplasty, nasal septum reconstruction, or rhinoplasty is often performed when the previous procedure did not achieve the desired result. Such revision surgeries are much more difficult than initial nose surgery and require many years of experience in nasal surgery. As a specialized nasal surgeon, I have performed many revision surgeries on the nose and offer individual corrections after previous surgeries. My goal is to improve both the function and aesthetics of the nose in the long term. Follow-up operations after previous septum reconstruction attempts performed elsewhere are by far the most difficult procedures. I probably have the most experience in this field worldwide.
Revision surgery
Methods and treatment
Not all complaints require another operation after previous nasal surgery. Understandably, not every patient wants to undergo another nasal operation. However, if nasal breathing is still significantly restricted or if there is constant bleeding and crusting due to a recurrent nasal septum defect, there is usually a clear indication for another operation. However, this decision must also take into account the number of previous surgeries, the surgical techniques already used (if known), and any pre-existing general medical conditions. Sometimes, a small, targeted procedure can significantly improve quality of life!
Follow-up operations after previous nasal septum reduction are frequently performed. There are many reasons for this, but often renewed bending of the nasal septum is due to wound healing disorders, unpredictable scarring, or (micro)trauma after the operation. The prospects of success after a repeat correction are usually excellent.
Follow-up operations after septum reconstruction attempts are extremely difficult. There are very few nasal surgeons who recommend such a procedure and feel confident performing it. If the septum reconstruction attempt was performed in three layers, the prognosis for a repeat operation is generally good. All other surgical techniques often lead to severe scarring, which, in combination with a lack of reconstruction of the cartilaginous septum, causes considerable difficulties during intraoperative preparation. The defect in the nasal septum is then often much larger during revision surgery than it was before the initial procedure.
Even with experienced nose surgeons, there is a revision rate of 10-15% after septorhinoplasty. These are often minor corrections, such as irregularities on the bridge of the nose or the tip of the nose. Improvements are very often possible.
After previous surgery on the nose, healing takes a little longer after a second procedure. The swelling of the soft tissues of the inner (nasal septum) and outer nose (bridge of the nose, tip of the nose) subsides much more slowly. Scarring often takes 1 to 1.5 years to complete, so that the final result can only be clearly assessed after this time. The chances of success are very good in many cases—most patients report a significant improvement in their quality of life, in particular freer nasal breathing and a reduction in pre-existing symptoms (e.g., nosebleeds, crusting, dryness, smell disorders).
So you can breathe easily again!
About me
Your specialist for nasal surgery
Dr. Thoralf Stange
Nasal septum perforations—i.e., holes or defects in the nasal septum—are often considered difficult to operate on. The reasons for this widespread assumption are, on the one hand, the rare occurrence of septum defects—and the associated uncertainties faced by doctors—and, on the other hand, the considerable difficulties that rhinoplasty surgeons encounter during surgery. However, thanks to my many years of experience in treating septum perforations, I can offer you a different assessment: in most cases, complete reconstruction of the nasal septum is possible – with a noticeable improvement in the quality of life for patients.
Since 2001, I have become an expert as an ENT specialist in the surgical treatment of nasal septum defects and have performed over 1,200 of these complex septum reconstructions to date – which is unique worldwide – with very good long-term results. The reconstruction of the nasal septum is undoubtedly one of the most technically demanding areas of nasal surgery – which makes precision and decades of experience in rhinoplasty all the more important.
Come to my consultation hours for a personal consultation. I will be happy to take time for you!
Since 2015
Reconstructive nasal surgery at the ENT clinic of the HELIOS Clinic in Krefeld and as an attending physician at the private clinic of the HELIOS Clinic in Krefeld
Since 2012
Reconstructive nasal surgery at the ENT clinic of the SCHÖN Clinic in Düsseldorf (formerly Dominikus Hospital Düsseldorf): since 2018, chief physician in cooperation
Since 2011
Practice and co-owner at the ENT Center Neuss with a focus on surgical activities
2001–2010
Senior physician, from 2003 senior consultant, 2008 acting chief physician at the ENT clinic of the Lukaskrankenhaus in Neuss (chief physician: Prof. Dr. H.-J. Schultz-Coulon)
2007: Recognition of the additional designation “Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery” (North Rhine Medical Association)
2003: Recognition of optional further training in “Special ENT Surgery” (North Rhine Medical Association)
1995–2001
Specialist training at the University ENT Clinic in Halle (Director: Prof. Dr. A. Berghaus)
2001: Recognition as a specialist in ear, nose, and throat medicine
1996: Doctorate in medicine with a thesis on “Methodological investigations into the immuno-electron microscopic detection of membrane peptidases” (summa cum laude) at the Medical Faculty of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
1989–1995
Studied medicine at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
1987–1989
Military service
Books and book contributions
Th. Stange: Preparation in functional rhinoplasty. In: Mlynski, G, Pirsig, W. (eds.): Functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty. Thieme Stuttgart 2018.
Th. Stange: Surgical treatment of septal defects. In: Mlynski, G, Pirsig, W. (Eds.): Functional-aesthetic rhinoplasty. Thieme Stuttgart 2018.
Th. Stange, H.-J. Schultz-Coulon: Nasal septum defect closure: The endonasal extended bridge flap technique. Verlag Endo-Press, Tuttlingen 2009.
Publications in journals
Th. Stange (2024): Are buttons still appropriate for treating nasal septum defects? JATROS Pneumology & ENT 4/2024.
Th. Stange (2011): Options for reconstructing nasal septum defects. Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie 90, 709 - 711.
Th. Stange, H.-J. Schultz-Coulon (2010): Nasal septum defect closures in Germany: A current inventory. Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie 89, 157-161.
Th. Stange, H.-J. Schultz-Coulon (2009): The bridge flap technique for the secure closure of nasal septum defects. forum HNO 11, 170–182.
Th. Stange, H.-J. Schultz-Coulon (2008): On the surgical treatment concept for inverted papillomas of the nose and paranasal sinuses. HNO 56, 614–622.
Th. Stange, P. A.-Mir-Salim, A. Berghaus (2001): Hyperacusis after tympanoplasty. HNO 49, 303–306.
T. Stange, U. Kettmann, H.-J. Holzhausen (2000): Immunoelectron microscopic demonstration of the membrane proteases aminopeptidase N/CD13 and dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26 in normal and neoplastic renal parenchymal tissues and cells. European Journal of .
Stange, Th., Kettmann, U., Holzhausen, H.-J., Riemann, D. (1998): Expression patterns of the ectopeptidases aminopeptidase N/CD13 and dipeptidyl peptidase IV/CD26 – Immunoultrastructural topographic localization on different types of cultured cells. Acta histochemica 100, 157–169.
Stange, T., Kettmann, U., Holzhausen, H.-J. (1996): Immunelektronenmikroskopische Einzel- und Doppelmarkierung von Aminopeptidase N (CD 13) und Dipeptidylpeptidase IV (CD 26). Acta histochemica 98, 323 – 331.
Invited lectures (selection)
Th. Stange: Nasal septum defects and their treatment – obsolescence and reality. 23rd Annual Meeting of the North German Society for Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, Bremen, March 2025.
Th. Stange: Differentiated surgical techniques for problematic nasal septum defects. 3rd German Rhinoplasty Congress, Frankfurt, May 2024.
Th. Stange: Nasal septum defects (and their treatment): Myths – Obsolescence – Reality. VX. Spring Colloquium of the ENT Clinic at HELIOS Clinic Bad Saarow, April 2024.
Th. Stange: Concepts for closing septal perforations. APKO Workshop 2023, Frankfurt, January 2023.
Th. Stange: Long-term experience after three-layer nasal septum reconstruction. 2nd German Rhinoplasty Congress, Frankfurt, May 2022.
Th. Stange: Current status of treatment for nasal septum defects. 27th Annual Meeting of the Association of Central German ENT Doctors in Eisenach, September 2018.
Th. Stange: Septum surgery and reconstruction. X. Spring Colloquium of the ENT Clinic at HELIOS Clinic Bad Saarow, April 2017.
Th. Stange: Septum surgery and perforation: conservative and surgical options. Keynote speech at the 48th continuing education event for ear, nose, and throat specialists, Mannheim, November 2014.
Th. Stange: Treatment of nasal septum defects. 46th continuing education event for ear, nose, and throat specialists, Mannheim, November 2012.
Th. Stange: Surgical closure of septal defects. 3rd ENT Autumn Symposium, ENT Clinic, Dessau Hospital, November 2011.
Th. Stange: Options for the reconstruction of nasal septal defects. Round table discussion: Reconstructive procedures of the nose. 82nd Annual Meeting of the German Society for Ear, Nose, and Throat Medicine, Head and Neck Surgery, Freiburg, June 2011.
Th. Stange: Experience in the treatment of nasal septum defects. 6th Advent Symposium “Rhinology,” ENT Clinic, Stuttgart Hospital, December 2010.
Th. Stange: Treatment of nasal septum defects. Spring colloquium of the ENT Clinic at HELIOS Clinics Bad Saarow, April 2009.
Th. Stange: Surgical treatment of nasal septum defects. University ENT Clinic Halle, November 2005.
Teaching on nasal surgery courses
Since 2005
Course instructor for annual courses held in May on nasal septoplasty and nasal septum reconstruction for septal defects (septal perforations) at the German Academy of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (4th–24th Annual Meeting).
Since 2008
Speaker and surgeon at the annual “Bremen Septorhinoplasty Courses: Septorhinoplasty, Septoplasty, and Septum Defect Closure” held in November at the DIAKO Hospital in Bremen (together with Prof. Di Martino, Prof. Scheithauer, Prof. Riedel, Prof. Wurm, and until 2020 with Prof. Wolfgang Pirsig and Prof. Gunter Mlynski)
The 19th Bremen Septorhinoplasty Course will take place from November 12 to 14, 2025.
i-Nose Workshop Basic 2015 (Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden)
Closure of nasal septum defects – Septal Perforation Repair
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden in September 2015
Other teaching activities
2006 – 2010
Examiner for the medical examination in the subject of “Ear, Nose, and Throat Medicine” (District Government of Münster, State Examination Office of North Rhine-Westphalia for Medicine, Psychotherapy, and Pharmacy)
2004–2010
Lecturer in ENT at the Training Center for Nursing Professions in the Rhine District of Neuss
My philosophy
Specialization and experience for healing
My goal for every treatment is a convincing result—and patients who can breathe freely again and feel good about themselves. But the path to get there is crucial. It begins with trust, care, and experience. From the initial consultation to successful surgical treatment, you are in the best hands with me, right from the start.
Passion
Experience
With more than 25 years of experience, further training, and teaching in specialized nasal surgery, I am an established specialist for highly demanding procedures and treatments.
Specialization
Specialization is the key to outstanding results. As an ENT sub-specialist, I focus exclusively on nasal surgery—in particular, reconstruction of the nasal septum. I combine microsurgical precision with many years of surgical experience.
FAQ
Do you have questions about reconstructive nose surgery or the treatment process?
We provide answers.
Straightening of the nasal septum is performed very frequently, usually in conjunction with a reduction of the turbinates to improve nasal breathing. Such operations are offered by all ENT clinics and by almost all ENT surgeons. In Germany, more than 150,000 nasal septoplasties are performed each year. There are currently no figures available on the number of follow-up operations on the nasal septum. However, it is known that approximately 20 to 30% of patients are dissatisfied after surgery on the nasal septum.
Follow-up surgery is necessary if symptoms persist or recur after the initial surgery—e.g., impaired nasal breathing with recurrent infections attributable to this, or a (possibly renewed) hole in the nasal septum (septal defect, septal perforation).
Revisionseingriffe sind operationstechnisch sehr viel anspruchsvoller als Ersteingriffe an der Nase, da Narben, veränderte Anatomie und insbesondere fehlendes Gewebe (Knorpel und Knochen) die die Operation erschweren. Alleine schon die Präparation der vernarbten Strukturen (Schleimhaut, Knorpel, Knochen) erfordert Zeit und viel Erfahrung, damit die ohnehin schon durch die Voroperation instabileren Strukturen nicht durch unsachgemäße Behandlungen zerstört werden. Häufig muss körpereigener Ersatzknorpel (z. B. aus der Ohrmuschel oder Rippe) transplantiert werden. Daher sollten Nachoperationen an der Nase nur von erfahrenen Nasenchirurgen durchgeführt werden.
Surgery on the nasal septum is usually performed for medical reasons. The most common indications are impaired nasal breathing, occasional crusting, nosebleeds, and/or frequent infections of the nose or sinuses. In this respect, there are functional limitations, the general treatment of which is covered by health insurance companies. However, if you wish to be treated by a specific doctor (chief physician or elective physician) in the hospital, you must bear these costs yourself if you do not have private supplementary insurance for inpatient hospital treatment.
Address
Dr. Thoralf Stange, MD
Reconstructive Nasal Surgery
HNO-Zentrum Neuss
Batteriestraße 1
41460 Neuss, Germany
Contact:
Simone Kirschbaum
My assistant Simone Kirschbaum handles communication with all patients—
by phone, WhatsApp, or email.
Ms. Kirschbaum is occasionally represented by Sarah Bern.
Surgical departments
- SCHÖN Clinic Düsseldorf
- HELIOS Clinic Krefeld
With a view of the Rhine and the Düsseldorf skyline, I work part-time as chief physician at the SCHÖN Clinic.
At the HELIOS Clinic in Krefeld, I perform nasal surgery both at the ENT clinic and as an independent attending physician at the clinic's private clinic.