Septoplasty Procedure
Overview
Septoplasty is a nasal surgery that corrects a deviated septum—the wall of bone and cartilage that separates the nostrils. When the septum is misaligned, it can interfere with normal breathing. During the procedure, surgeons reposition the septum to a more central location to improve airflow through the nasal passages.
Key Features of Septoplasty:
- Targets bone and cartilage in the nasal septum.
- May involve removal, reshaping, and repositioning of tissue.
- Helps open the nasal passages.
Healing from septoplasty can make breathing easier and may also improve airflow through the nose. Surgeons typically preserve the mucosa, or lining inside the nose, to help with recovery. This surgery also plays a role in reconstructive plastic surgery cases and often complements other nasal corrections.
Reasons for This Procedure
Doctors often perform septoplasty to improve airflow for people with a deviated septum or septal deviation. When the septum, the wall inside the nose, is crooked, it can block the nose on one or both sides. This may lead to symptoms like:
- Nasal congestion
- Trouble breathing
- Chronic sinusitis
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Problems with sinus drainage
- Snoring or obstructive sleep apnea
Doctors may suggest surgery if these problems impact daily life or sleep. Correcting the septum can help reduce stuffiness and make it easier to breathe through the nose.
Possible Complications
After septoplasty, several possible risks and side effects may occur. Bleeding and infection can happen, just like with any other surgery. Some people may also develop swelling or bruising around the nose. Common risks include:
- Nosebleeds, either soon after surgery or later on
- Headaches or pain in the nose and upper face
- Poor healing of surgical cuts
- Blood clots forming inside the nose
- Reduced sense of smell or short-term numbness around the nose, teeth, or gums
- Sinus infections
The nose’s shape may change or a hole may develop in the septum. If symptoms do not improve or side effects are severe, surgeons might need to perform further procedures. Patients should discuss any concerns and their personal risk factors with their surgeon before surgery.
Getting Ready for Surgery
Eating, Drinking, and Medicines
Before septoplasty, patients need to avoid foods and drinks as told by their healthcare team. Usually, patients must not eat or drink after midnight before the surgery if general anesthesia will be used.
Most doctors ask patients to stop taking certain medicines like aspirin or ibuprofen, since these can cause extra bleeding.
Only medicines approved by the surgeon should be taken. Patients should tell their doctor about all prescription drugs, vitamins, or herbal products they use. It is helpful to keep a list of these for the surgeon.
Additional Safety Steps
Before surgery, patients should stop smoking, as it can slow healing and increase the risk of complications during recovery. The care team may begin by reviewing the patient’s medical history and, in some cases, performing a nasal endoscopy to examine the inside of the nose.
Blood tests may be required, and clinical staff often take photos of the nose from different angles for reference. On the day of the operation, patients should remove all jewelry and piercings, take a shower, and avoid using lotions, deodorants, or nail polish.
What You Can Expect
While the Surgery Is Happening
Surgeons perform septoplasty inside the nose, often as outpatient surgery, so patients usually go home the same day. Before the surgery begins, the medical team gives anesthesia, which helps block pain.
The type of anesthesia can vary. Local anesthesia only numbs the nose, while general anesthesia puts the patient in a sleep-like state for the whole procedure. The surgeon makes small cuts inside the nose. In some cases, the surgeon may make a small incision between the nostrils.
The goal is to trim, center, or replace cartilage or bone so the nasal septum becomes straighter. When the septum is not just crooked but also pushed by the bones around it, the surgeon might need to gently move the nasal bones into place.
Sometimes, the surgeon adds special thin strips called spreader grafts to support the septum, especially if the bridge of the nose needs extra help.After repositioning the septum, the doctor closes the incisions with stitches that dissolve on their own.
To give the septum extra support as it heals, the surgeon may place soft silicone splints in both nostrils. Nasal packing—a soft material—may also be used for a short time inside the nose to reduce bleeding.
Staff then move patients to a recovery area, where they check breathing and comfort. Since it’s an outpatient surgery, a family member or friend will usually need to drive the patient home.
What to Do Following Surgery
After the procedure, patients can expect some discomfort, swelling, or congestion in the nose. The surgeon will give pain medicine as needed.
Recovery Tips
- Sleep with the head raised and on the back to reduce swelling.
- Avoid blowing the nose for the first few weeks.
- Wear clothes that button or zip in the front, rather than items that need to be pulled over the head.
- Avoid hard exercise, bending over, and heavy lifting, as these can cause nosebleeds.
Soft silicone splints may stay inside the nostrils for a few days, depending on what the surgeon recommends. Nasal packing, if used, is usually removed within the first week. Numbness in the tip of the nose, upper lip, or gums is possible for a short period, but feeling returns over time.
Patients typically return to their normal activities after a few weeks. Regular follow-up visits allow the surgeon to check healing and remove any splints or packing if required.
Outcomes
Most patients begin to see changes in their nasal structure and breathing within 3 to 6 months after septoplasty. During this period, the tissues usually become more stable, although small adjustments can still occur for up to a year or longer. A deviated septum often causes breathing problems, and septoplasty often improves these issues, but individual results vary.
Key Points
- Many individuals experience improved ease of breathing.
- Some people experience lingering symptoms.
- A few may need a second surgery if issues continue.
- Changes in the sense of smell might occur but usually improve with time.
| Result Area | Typical Experience |
|---|---|
| Breathing | Most people experience improvemen |
| Recovery | 3-6 months, or sometimes longer |
| Sense of smell | Temporary changes |
