Septoplasty Procedure and Post-operative Care

What is Septoplasty?

Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct crooked or deviated nasal septum. The nasal septum is the cartilage and bone that divide the space between your nostrils. The deviation of the nasal septum can be due to congenital, hereditary, and other issues – such as trauma and injuries. ENT specialists perform this procedure to straighten a deviated nasal septum 

Why is Septoplasty Performed?

Deviated nasal septum– A deviated nasal septum is a condition wherein the nasal septum is crooked making it hard for you to breathe through your nose. A deviated septum also increases the risk of sinus infections, snoring, and sleep apnea. Sinusitis is the most common complication of a deviated nasal septum

It can block one side of your nose and reduce airflow. When it is severe, it can cause difficulty in breathing through one or both the sides of your nose, which affects the quality of your life. For a problematic deviated septum, you should consider septoplasty surgery to fix the condition.

What is the Procedure for Septoplasty?  

Depending on the severity, Septoplasty surgery can take around 30 minutes to 90 minutes. The procedure is done either under local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia. An ENT surgeon makes an incision on the side of your nose to gain access to the nasal septum.

The surgeon will lift the mucous membrane covering the septum upwards. The deviated nasal septum is positioned in the correct position. In addition, unwanted bony material or cartilage will be removed or reshaped, depending on the necessity.

Then the surgeon will reposition your mucous membrane and sutures the corrected structure to hold the mucous membrane and septum together in the right place. Finally, your nose will be packed with cotton to hold the mucous membrane and septum in place.

Post-operative care after Septoplasty

To decrease your chances of swelling or bleeding after surgery, your doctor may ask you to follow these precautions up to several weeks after your surgery.

• Elevate your head when you are sleeping.
• Don’t blow your nose for several weeks.
• Avoid strenuous activities.
• Wear clothes that open from the front.
• Don’t pick your nose.
• Avoid sleeping on stomach with face downwards

Dr. Neetu Modgil