The Need for and Processes Involved in Septoplasty Surgery
Septoplasty surgery is a commonly performed procedure. Septoplasty may be performed for nasal blockage alone or with other procedures including rhinoplasty, turbinate reductions or endoscopic sinus surgery as needed.
The human body is an expert machine with millions of separate parts and systems that work independently but provide cohesive function and operation for the whole body.
However, there are some instances where a growth defect or development condition can cause a disruption in normal, healthy function. A deviated nasal septum is a quite common health condition that can be repaired with a simple surgical procedure known as septoplasty surgery.
Understanding the reason for the surgery, the procedure, and the symptoms associated with a deviated septum will help patients prepare for the surgery and alleviate most worries and concerns.
What is the Nasal Septum?
Septoplasty surgery, also known as submucous resection or septal reconstruction, is a surgical process that is designed specifically to repair a deviated septum.
The nasal septum in the human body is a thin membrane of tissue that acts as a barrier between the two nasal passages. Every human has two nostrils, and these nostrils typically alternate dominance throughout the day. The nasal septum helps with nose structure and healthy respiration.
A human nasal septum is made of both bone and cartilage. When this material is not straight, because of birth defect, growth defect, or injury, the condition is revered to as a deviated nasal septum, and this can make breathing difficult or cause breathing disorders such as snoring or sleep apnoea.
Who Needs Septoplasty Surgery?
Very few people have a perfectly straight nasal septum. However, most people have only a slight offset in the nasal septum, and this very rarely causes breathing disorders. If a serious deviation is detected or a patient has difficulty breathing, especially at night, septoplasty surgery may be required. Sometimes, septoplasty surgery is required as a prerequisite for other surgical procedures such as the removal of nasal polyps.
How Septoplasty Surgery is Performed
Before the surgery begins, a physician will use a very thin, lighted device known as an endoscope to evaluate the shape and direction of a patient’s nasal passages. This helps the doctor to plot the shape of the nasal septum and evaluate the level of deviation.
Some Ear Nose and Throat Surgeons perform the surgery with the aid of the endoscope while others prefer to cut the nasal passage open to repair serious deviation. Typically, this surgical procedure is an outpatient operation, and it takes less than two hours from start to finish. The surgery may even be performed with only localised anaesthesia, and this can further shorten recovery time.
If you would like to book a consultation to see our rhinoplasty doctor, Dr. Michael Barakate, please contact Rhinoplasty Clinic Sydney on 1300 113 318.