Correcting a deviated septum with septoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, using either local or general anesthesia depending on your medical history and personal preference.
Your surgeon will perform this operation by lifting one side of the nasal mucosa to reshape and realign bone and cartilage within the septum, and may reduce symptomatic structures like turbinates that block off breathing passageways.
Procedure
Outpatient surgery takes approximately an hour and uses local or general anesthesia for maximum comfort. Prior to the operation, a doctor will review your medical history and conduct a physical examination, as well as discuss expectations from surgery and any possible risks or complications that might arise.
Septoplasty involves trimming, reshaping and replacing cartilage or bone to correct deviated septae. A surgeon works through your nostrils with an endoscope in hand for assessment of what’s inside your nose. Aspirin or ibuprofen medications should not be taken prior to this process as these could increase bleeding.
After your operation, your ear, nose and throat specialist will place soft silicone splints or soft packing in your nostrils to support the septum, reduce postoperative nasal bleeding and promote healing of the septum. These will remain in place for one week; instructions will also be given as to how you should care for your nose while it heals; this includes elevating it during sleep hours while not blowing, refraining from blowing for several weeks as well as refraining from activities that could trigger postoperative nosebleeds such as aerobics or jogging etc.
Many individuals report significant improvement in their breathing, nasal congestion, sinus issues and headaches following septoplasty; however, results can differ depending on each person and change over time, creating new issues which require further treatments.
Before having septoplasty performed, it is vitally important that you select an experienced and reputable ear, nose, and throat surgeon. Ask them about their training and experience with this particular process; and ensure they offer honest information regarding what can and cannot be accomplished through surgery and how it might improve breathing.
Septoplasty is an efficient and safe solution to breathing difficulties caused by deviated septae. When performed by an experienced ENT surgeon, this procedure typically has high success rates with few complications such as infections or bleeding; infection or bleeding risks are rare and there may be the rare possibility of perforations to the septum; although any potential holes usually do not correlate directly to this procedure and only require minor surgical correction afterwards.
Recovery
Correcting a deviated septum involves reconstructive surgery in which a surgeon repositions or removes cartilage and bone to improve airflow through the nose, thus improving breathing and decreasing nasal congestion, which in turn helps alleviate sinus infections, nosebleeds, snoring and other respiratory issues. Septoplasty is typically conducted in an office setting with patients often returning to work within one week following the procedure without aesthetic damage or scarring; over-the-counter medications or irrigation fluids may help alleviate pain post-surgery.
Before having septoplasty performed, it is vitally important that you inform your physician of all medications and supplements that you are currently taking as some may interfere with blood clotting or increase the risk of bleeding during and post surgery. They will also want to know about any allergies or medical conditions you have that could impact upon the surgery.
At surgery, your physician will use anesthesia to ensure you remain comfortable during the process. Once it wears off, nasal splints or packing will be removed and your nose will begin healing. At this point it is important not to blow your nose or sneeze, instead opting for open mouthed coughing/sneezing so as to limit pressure changes which could potentially cause bleeding or dislocation of septum – your ENT specialist should provide specific instructions regarding care during recovery.
After approximately one month, you should start to experience improved breathing thanks to septoplasty. Full benefits may take three months; to prevent relapses it is vitally important that postoperative instructions from your physician be strictly adhered to and cold compresses or nasal sprays used as needed for pain, congestion and drainage relief as needed. In addition, regular follow-up appointments with an ENT specialist should ensure proper healing occurs – should you have an irregular or deviated septum Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy can assess whether septoplasty might be suitable.
Symptoms
A septum is the wall made up of bone and cartilage that separates each nostril. A deviated septum occurs when this wall moves off-center, blocking one or both nasal passages resulting in breathing difficulty or chronic sinus infections.
Treatment options for deviated septae typically focus on managing symptoms. Your physician will likely prescribe decongestants or nasal steroid sprays that reduce tissue swelling and keep airways open; for those suffering from allergies, antihistamines may also be prescribed to alleviate allergy-induced breathing difficulties.
If the problem persists, your ear, nose and throat doctor may recommend septoplasty to correct your deviated septum. This procedure entails extracting small pieces of cartilage and bone from the nose in order to restore balance to correct symptoms associated with your condition. While conducting the surgery, care will be taken not to disturb the keystone area – otherwise known as supporting nasal tip and dorsum support areas of septum that serve as foundations – which if disturbed could result in saddle nose deformity.
After surgery, your physician will place hollow splints inside of your nose to reduce bleeding and stabilize its new shape. These splints should usually be removed in five or seven days from when they were put in. You should take it easy for at least a week after removal before blowing your nose again until instructed by your physician.
Most insurance providers cover part of the cost associated with septoplasty when medically necessary to treat breathing problems or chronic sinus infections, while cosmetic surgeries will likely not be covered; you’ll have to cover everything out-of-pocket yourself; your provider can give more details regarding coverage.
Cost
Crooked or bent septums can block one or both nostrils, leading to congestion, breathing difficulty and nosebleeds as well as sinus infections and snoring. A septoplasty procedure can restore proper function and improve quality of life; our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons possess the expertise to repair deviated septae so your nose looks natural when healed.
Septoplasty doesn’t usually require an overnight hospital stay. At your preoperative consultation, we will review your health history and conduct a physical exam. During surgery we may take photos from both sides of your nose so we can discuss available options and help you reach your desired goals.
When performing the operation, we will make an incision along the lining of your nose over the septum and elevate it in order to expose cartilage and bone beneath. From there, we may either remove or reposition these elements in order to correct deviation. If your septum has perforations holes that need stitching up or packing material placed inside them.
Once surgery is over, we will close and splint or pack materials over your incision to help with healing. These splints must remain in place for seven days but you can breathe around or through them as necessary.
Combining septoplasty and turbinoplasty can address breathing issues caused by an enlarged inferior turbinate. By extracting excess tissue from the turbinates, we can alleviate breathing difficulty while decreasing chances of future nasal obstruction or sinus issues.
This process typically lasts one to 1.5 hours and may involve either general anesthesia or local anesthesia for your comfort. As it’s an outpatient procedure, you will return home on the same day.
Most patients can return to regular activities within 24 hours after surgery. Although patients may experience minor discomfort and pain management using acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help; similarly, any nasal discharge and/or bruising should only last a few days postoperatively.
