Septoplasty is a surgery performed to correct deviations of the nasal septum, the structure that separates the two nasal cavities.
Deviations of the septum can cause nasal obstruction, breathing difficulties, tiredness, recurrent sinusitis and even snoring and/or sleep apnoea.
This surgery aims to reshape and/or remove part of the deviated septum, realigning the nasal passage and improving airflow. This surgery can be performed in conjunction with the rhinoplasty, The procedure is called rhinoseptoplasty.
Because of all its advantages, it makes a major contribution to improving patients' quality of life. In this article, we'll explain what septoplasty is, how it's performed and what its benefits are for those suffering from nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum. Clear up all your doubts!
What is septoplasty and how is it performed?
This is a surgery performed to correct deviations in the nasal septum, when this causes symptoms such as nasal obstruction and difficulty breathing.
During the procedure, the surgeon will reshape and/or remove parts of the deviated septum, repositioning the cartilage and/or bone in the centre of the nose to realign the nasal passage, restoring its proper function.
Access to the nasal septum is via the nostrils, i.e. the internal route, leaving no visible scars on the outside of the nose.
Generally, septoplasty is performed with general anaesthesia and lasts about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the septal deviation and other factors. The patient discharged the same day surgery.
Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty
Septoplasty is often performed together with other procedures, such as rhinoplasty, the aesthetic surgery of the nose. This combination of procedures happens particularly in the case of more complex deviations where a simple correction of the septum is not enough to achieve a good result, requiring a broader approach with structuring of the entire nasal pyramid (bones of the nose and other nasal cartilage).
This joint surgical procedure is called rhinoseptoplasty.
The main difference between septoplasty and rhinoseptoplasty is that the former, when performed in isolation, does not alter the appearance of the nose, but only corrects the internal position of the nasal septum. Rhino-septoplasty, on the other hand, often has aesthetic objectives.
Deviated septum: what does it consist of?
The nasal septum is the thin wall made up of bone and cartilage that separates the two nasal cavities.
When the septum is deviated - leaving this wall situated more on one side than the other - as well as making the nose “crooked”, it can partially or totally obstruct one or both nasal cavities, causing symptoms such as:
- difficulty breathing through the nose;
- chronic nasal obstruction;
- snoring;
- sleep apnoea;
- changes in the sense of smell.
A deviated septum can accompany a person from birth, manifest itself in adolescence after the nose has fully developed or arise as a result of trauma, for example, during sports practice or an accident.
In any case, septoplasty is an effective solution for correcting deviations in the nasal septum and improving nasal function.
When to operate for a deviated septum?
Since the human body is not all symmetrical, deviated septum is a common condition, meaning that the majority of people - around 85% - have some degree of deviated nasal septum.
The need for surgery depends on the level of deviation presented by the patient and their symptoms. The patient may not even know they have this deformity.
Even in situations where the deviated septum is visible, if it doesn't affect the patient's quality of life and health, surgery isn't necessary. However, if the patient is not satisfied with the appearance of their nose due to the deviated septum, it is perfectly appropriate to consider surgery.
However, the indication for this surgical intervention arises when the deviated septum causes functional complaints, affects quality of life and is detrimental to the patient's health and well-being, due to:
- Difficulty breathing from one or both nostrils (nasal obstruction);
- Difficulty sleeping with annoying and frequent snoring;
- Sleep apnoea;
- Chronic or recurrent sinusitis;
- Epistaxis (nosebleeds);
- Altered sense of smell;
- Headaches.
Even if none of the symptoms described are present at the moment, a deviated septum can develop over time, worsen and cause other medical conditions, such as sinusitis.
A deviated septum can be asymptomatic for some time, but it can also worsen over the years, at which point it may be advisable to have surgery.
Apart from rare exceptions, septoplasty is only recommended in adulthood because facial development is still taking place in children and young people.
Benefits of septoplasty
As already mentioned, this surgical procedure brings countless advantages in terms of health and well-being:
- Improves nasal breathing: correcting septal deviation improves nasal obstruction, making it easier to breathe through the nose;
- Reduces nasal congestion: septoplasty reduces chronic nasal congestion and associated symptoms such as headaches and facial pressure;
- Relieves snoring and sleep apnoea: improving nasal airflow reduces snoring and, in some cases, improves sleep apnoea symptoms related to nasal obstruction.
Post-surgical care
After surgery, a recovery period is necessary to allow proper healing and complete restoration of nasal function.
In the first few days, it's normal to feel some discomfort due to nasal congestion. There may also be slight blood loss.
To improve discomfort, painkillers and decongestants are prescribed to relieve these symptoms.
It is important that the patient keeps their head elevated while sleeping to help with healing and improve nasal congestion. They should also avoid physical exertion, such as sports or lifting weights, for 15 days.
After surgery, patients can usually return to work and normal day-to-day activities within a week. Sport can be resumed after 15 days and contact sports only after a few months, so as not to risk dislocating the septum again.
The doctor's instructions must be strictly adhered to in order to promote good healing, reduce the risk of complications and obtain an optimal result.
Nasal breathing is essential for our health and well-being and a deviated septum can, as described, affect breathing and individual quality of life, causing frequent discomfort and frustration.
For these and other situations, septoplasty could be the solution to enjoying a healthier and more comfortable life. If you have a deviated septum and suffer from nasal obstruction, book an appointment to see if this surgery is the right treatment option for your situation.
