A Comprehensive Guide to Septoplasty Treatment

The nasal septum is the wall present in the nose that separates the nasal cavity into the right and left cavities. The nasal septum is composed of cartilage in the front portion and bone in the posterior part. Though a slight deviation in the septum is a normal finding, a greater extent of deviation in the septum results in specific deviated septum symptoms by blocking a side of the nose causing breathing difficulties due to reduced airflow.

Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that straightens the bone and cartilage wall dividing the space between the two nostrils.

During the surgery, the septum is repositioned to the center of the nose. This may involve cutting and removing parts of the septum, which are then placed back into the nose in a corrected position.

After healing from septoplasty, you will likely find it easier to breathe. However, it is important to discuss the expected results with your surgeon before undergoing the procedure.

Why septoplasty is performed?

A crooked septum is common, but a significantly deviated septum can block one side of the nose and reduce airflow, making it difficult to breathe through one or both nostrils.

Septoplasty is a surgical procedure that straightens the nasal septum by trimming, repositioning, and replacing cartilage bone, or both.

Surgery to correct a deviated septum may be appropriate if your symptoms are impacting your quality of life, such as difficulty breathing through your nose or frequent nosebleeds.

Types of Septoplasty

There are different types of Septoplasty:

Turbinate Reduction
Rhinoplasty
Rhinoseptoplasty
Septoplasty

Before undergoing septoplasty, common signs and symptoms that may indicate the need for surgery include:

Nasal Obstruction
Nasal Congestion
Nosebleeds
Facial Pain or Headaches
Postnasal Drip
Impaired Sense of Smell

Following are the diagnoses and tests done before Septoplasty:

Nasal Endoscopy is done by using a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera (endoscope) to examine the inside of the nose and septum. This allows the surgeon to visualize the extent of deviation and any associated nasal issues.

Nasal Airflow Assessment to measure airflow through each nostril, such as rhinomanometry or acoustic rhinometry, to evaluate nasal obstruction and assess the impact of septal deviation on breathing.

CT Scan or MRI may be asked to provide detailed images of the nasal anatomy and assess the severity of septal deviation.

If allergies are suspected to contribute to nasal symptoms, allergy testing may be recommended to identify specific allergens that could affect surgical outcomes.

Sometime Routine blood tests are done to evaluate overall health and check for any underlying conditions that may impact surgery or recovery.

Septoplasty is mostly performed as an outpatient procedure, thus the patient may be discharged the same day once the anesthesia wears off.

To promote healing and minimize swelling, physical activity should be limited to several weeks post-surgery. Physical activity can raise blood pressure and can cause significant nasal bleeding.

Tips for a quicker recovery include:

Elevating the head at night
Avoid blowing your nose for at least three days following surgery.
wear clothing that doesn't require tugging over the head

It can take up to a year for cartilage and other nasal tissues to settle into their new shape.. Breathing will improve shortly after the procedure. The wound can be healed quickly.