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Septoplasty- Deviated Nasal Septum Repair
Best Septoplasty Surgery
Normally, the two nostrils of an individual are separated by a straight bone and cartilage called the septum. If the septum bone becomes crooked-shaped, it leads to Deviated Nasal Septum or DNS. This can cause breathing difficulties and increase the risk of sinus infections due to poor drainage. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects the defective septal bone and eases breathing.
What is Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that straightens the deviated nasal septum or DNS. The nasal septum separates the two nostrils and comprises cartilage and bone. The nasal septum is generally straight. However, in a few, the bone becomes crooked or bent, causing a deviated septum.
A deviated septum developed naturally or from an accident can cause a blockage of one or both the nostrils. This eventually can interfere with the airflow, leading to breathing issues and sinus infection risk due to improper drainage of the nostrils.
A septoplasty surgically repositions the nasal deviation to the center of the nose. Septoplasty enables easy breathing and reduces frequent sinus infections
.
When is Septoplasty Performed?
A deviated septum can cause breathing difficulties forcing the person to breathe through the mouth. At night the difficulty in breathing through the nose can result in obstructive airflow, snoring, and obstructive sleep apnea. Also, breathing through the mouth can lead to a dry mouth.
In some cases, septoplasty can be performed along with other medical procedures like sinus surgery and nasal tumor removal.
Septoplasty can also be combined with nose shaping surgery or septorhinoplasty, which can help ease breathing and help reshape the nose structure.
What are the Prerequisites of Septoplasty?
Before a septoplasty, your surgeon is likely to conduct a detailed evaluation of your medical history and a physical examination. The surgeon may take photos of the nose from different angles to study and compare the appearance of the nose before and after surgery. Before a septoplasty, you will need to take care of the following things:
- Avoid certain medications that can increase the risk of bleeding during and after the surgery.
- Do not smoke at least a couple of weeks before the surgery, as smoking slows down the healing process.
How is a Septoplasty Performed?
Septoplasty may be done under local or general anesthesia depending on the complexity of the condition. The entire surgery is performed by a minimally invasive approach. Here is a stepwise illustration of a septoplasty.
- The surgeon makes an incision on one side of the nose.
- The mucosa layer that covers and protects the septum is also uncovered.
- The surgeon carefully corrects the deviation and reshapes the nasal bone and cartilage.
- In some cases, bone parts and cartilage are repositioned and removed to reshape the nose.
- After the required alterations, the mucosa is placed back, and the incisions are stitched.
- The surgeon may finally place the splints to secure the nasal tissue and prevent nose bleeding and scar tissue formation.
The septoplasty surgical procedure may take about 30 to 40 minutes.
Aftercare and Recovery of Septoplasty
The Splints may stay for a week or two, and the nose dressings are removed after 24 to 36 hours. However, dissolving stitches disappear over time. Immediately after septoplasty surgery, you will be monitored for a couple of hours before being discharged the same day. However, you will need to take care of certain aspects after a septoplasty like:
- Sleep or rest with your head placed in an elevated position to decrease bleeding and swelling,
- Do not blow your nose,
- Do not wear pull-over clothes that need to be worn over the head,
- Do not indulge in strenuous activities, jogging, running, brisk walking, or aerobics for four to five weeks. This can help prevent nose bleeding,
Are there any Risks or Complications Associated with Septoplasty?
Septoplasty carries risks of bleeding, infections, and an adverse anesthetic reaction. However, these risks are rare. The other risks and complications associated with septoplasty surgery include:
- Nasal obstructions,
- Changes in the nose shape,
- Damage or hole in the septum,
- Loss of sense of smell,
- Blood clots on the nasal passages that need to be drained,
- Temporary numbness of teeth, upper gum, and nose.
There can be a possibility of having additional surgery to treat complications or when the septoplasty outcomes do not meet expectations.