Septoplasty
CORRECTING DEVIATED SEPTUM
Overview
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure used to correct a deviated septum. The septum is the thin wall of cartilage and bone that separates the two nostrils in the nose. When the septum is deviated or displaced to one side, it can obstruct one or both nasal passages, leading to breathing difficulties and other nasal issues.
Procedure
Septoplasty is typically performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient's preference and the surgeon's recommendation. In most cases, septoplasty is an intranasal procedure, meaning the surgeon makes incisions inside the nostrils. This avoids external scarring.
During the procedure, the surgeon repositions the deviated septum to the midline of the nose. This may involve removing or reshaping portions of the septum. After the septum is repositioned, the surgeon may use dissolvable sutures or nasal packing (soft, absorbent material) to hold the septum in its corrected position.
After septoplasty, patients may experience nasal congestion, mild pain, and swelling. Medications and saline nasal sprays can help manage these symptoms. Patients can typically return to normal activities within a few days to a week, depending on their individual healing process.
Benefits
Benefits of septoplasty include:
Improved Breathing: The primary benefit of septoplasty is improved nasal breathing. By correcting the deviated septum, the procedure can alleviate nasal obstruction and congestion.
Reduced Symptoms: Septoplasty can also alleviate symptoms such as snoring, sleep apnea, frequent sinus infections, and nosebleeds that may be associated with a deviated septum.
Enhanced Quality of Life: Many patients report an overall improvement in their quality of life after septoplasty due to better breathing and reduced nasal symptoms.
