Septoplasty

What is septoplasty?

 

Septoplasty is a corrective surgical procedure done to straighten the nasal septum, eliminating any congenital or trauma-induced deviations. Such deviations represent an obstruction which makes breathing harder.

 

During the procedure, the surgeon may also reduce the size of your turbinates (if they are hypertrophic). Sometimes the procedure may involve an aesthetic intervention on your nose, thus becoming a septorhinoplasty.

 

 

When might a septoplasty be indicated?

 

Your ENT specialist may suggest surgery if you have trouble breathing due to a deviated septum.

 

What does a septoplasty entail?

 

Should there be a severely deviated septum, the surgeon may have to remove the septum completely, straighten it and then insert it back. In other cases, the surgery can be done internally from your nose, passing through the nostrils.

 

During the surgery, the cartilage segments (and sometimes small bone fractions) causing the deviation are removed.

 

How can I prepare for my septoplasty?

 

First of all, you’ll need to go through your medical history with your doctor. The doctor will also check your general state of health and study the shape of your nose.

 

Post-operative progress

 

After the surgery, you’ll need to go back to the hospital twice to monitor your recovery and to remove any potential adhesions.

 

One month after the procedure, the bones and cartilage should be completely healed. After two weeks your nose won't be as swollen and the mucosa will have healed as well.