Why do I need a Septoplasty?
Do you have trouble breathing through your nose, have nosebleeds, or pain in your face? It could be caused by a deviated septum. This is when the bone and cartilage that separates your nostrils is out of alignment. A septoplasty is the out-patient procedure used to correct the alignment. This allows for proper airflow through the nose. It is performed using either local or general anesthesia.
Deviated septums are not always the result of trauma, but can be congenital or present at birth.
What to Expect
If a septoplasty is deemed the procedure to correct your symptoms during the initial consultation, a surgery date will be set. On the date of the procedure, depending on the complexity local or general sedation will be administered. The surgeon then will make an incision on one side of the inside of your nostril. This will reveal the bone and cartilage of the septum. The surgeon then will realign the septum and remove any barriers preventing proper alignment. The incision will then be closed.
Your breathing should improve shortly after the procedure has been completed. The nose itself heals very slowly due to the nature of bone and cartilage. As with rhinoplasty, the nose may keep refining over an entire year. You should also avoid blowing your nose intensely or using over-the-counter medication which thins the blood.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The procedure itself generally takes between 30 to 90 minutes depending on the severity of the deviation and the cause. For instance, if extensive barriers need to be removed, it may cause the procedure to go longer. Allow for extra time for the pre-op preparation and post-op recovery.
Due to the use of anesthesia, it is recommended that you have arrangements made to get you home.
As the procedure aligns the inner cartilage and bone to allow for proper airflow, it will typically not affect the outer appearance of the nose. A rhinoplasty can be done at the same time to provide cosmetic adjustments to the contour of the nose.