What is Septoplasty?

Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct or straighten the deviated nasal septum.

Nasal septum is the wall of bone and cartilage that divides your nose into two separate nostrils. A deviated septum occurs when nasal septum is moved to one side of your nose.

What are the Causes of Deviated Nasal Septum?

CONGENITAL- Some people are born with a deviated nasal septum.

INJURY- Nasal septum can be deviated due to injury from a hit or during accidents.

What are the Symptoms of Deviated Nasal Septum?

• Difficulty in breathing.
• Facial pain
• Nasal bleeding.

Treatment

Surgery is the only option to correct a deviated nasal septum.

Septoplasty Procedure

• Depending on severity Septoplasty surgery can take 30 minutes to 90 minutes.
• The procedure is done under local anesthesia or general anesthesia.
• The type of anesthesia either local or general will be decided by your surgeon, depending upon the complexity of your defect.
• The surgeon makes an incision on the side of your nose to gain access to nasal septum.
• The mucous membrane covering the septum is lifted upwards.
• The deviated nasal septum is positioned in correct position.
• Additional, unwanted bony material or cartilage if present will be removed or reshaped, depending on the necessity.
• The surgeon will reposition your mucous membrane.
• The surgeon will give sutures to hold the mucous membrane and septum together in right place.
• Finally your nose will be packed with cotton to hold the mucous membrane and septum in place.

What to Expect After Septoplasty?

RISKS

• Bleeding from nose.
• Swelling of nose.
• Discoloration
• Scarring
• An altered shape of your nose
• Decreased sense of smell.

Septoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure unless major complications arise. This means that you’ll be able to go home on the same day as the procedure, once the anesthesia has worn off. Your nose will be swollen, painful, and packed with cotton to control bleeding. The packing can be removed a day or two after surgery. Your doctor will also prescribe pain medication as needed.

Your doctor will likely ask you to avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and other drugs that thin the blood. This is done to lower the risk of bleeding problems after the procedure.

You should also limit your physical activity for several weeks after surgery to minimize swelling and promote healing. This includes most forms of intense exercise, such as running, lifting weights, and playing contact sports. These activities can increase your blood pressure and lead to heavy bleeding.

Tips for a Quicker Recovery Include:

• Lift up your head while sleeping, don’t sleep sideways
• Avoid wearing pull over clothing.
• Avoid blowing your nose for several days.

Outlook after the Procedure

The wound on your nose will heal fairly quickly, and your breathing is likely to improve shortly after the procedure.
However, the overall healing process can be slow. Cartilage and other nasal tissues can take up to a year to fully settle into their new shape.