Do you often have a stuffy nose? Do you feel like you have trouble breathing properly? Sometimes this can be caused by the wall inside your nose being stretched. Many people don't even know about this. So today, let's talk about Septoplasty, a very successful treatment for this condition. Don't be scared when you hear this, this is not as big a surgery as you think.
Simply put, what is Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a surgery to straighten a deviated septum inside your nose. We medically call this septum. Think of your nostrils as two rooms. The septum is the wall that separates the two rooms. It is made up of a flexible part called cartilage and a part called bone.
Normally, this wall should be straight. But in some people, it can be pulled to one side, bent. We call this a "deviated septum." This can be present at birth, or it can occur after an accident to the nose.
When this wall is pulled, one nostril becomes blocked and the airway becomes blocked. This makes it difficult to breathe. Septoplasty surgery straightens this pulled wall and makes the airway smooth again.
Why is Septoplasty surgery recommended?
A doctor may recommend this surgery for you for several other reasons in addition to difficulty breathing.
| Reason | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| To remove nasal polyps | If you need to remove nasal polyps. |
| Persistent sinus infections | As a treatment for chronic sinusitis. |
| Snoring and shortness of breath in sleep | As a treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. |
| Frequent nosebleeds | Stop recurring nosebleeds (this is a bit rare). |
This surgery is usually performed by ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists or ENT doctors). It is not a major surgery, but an outpatient surgery where you can go home the same day.
How should I prepare for the surgery?
After scheduling your surgery, your doctor will review your complete medical history. You will need to tell him or her about any medications, vitamins, and supplements you are currently taking.
Some medications, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, may need to be stopped a few days before surgery because they can increase the risk of bleeding during surgery. Your doctor will also advise you on when to stop eating and drinking before surgery.
What happens during the surgery?
Most of the time, an anesthesiologist will give you general anesthesia . Simply put, you will be completely asleep. So you won't feel anything or feel any pain during the surgery. In some cases , local anesthesia, which numbs only your nose, may also be given.
The surgeon makes a small incision on one side of the nose. Then, the thin membrane (mucosa) that lines the nasal wall is carefully lifted, and the pulled bone and cartilage are straightened and realigned. He or she may also remove some of the excess tissue.
The most important thing is that all of this happens inside the nose, so there are no visible scars on the outside .
Sometimes, this surgery is performed in conjunction with a turbinate reduction, which reduces the size of the turbinates, another part of the nasal airway. This allows the airway to open up more.
Finally, the raised membrane is repositioned over the wall, and soft packings or splints are placed inside the nose. These are placed to hold the newly formed tissue in place, stop bleeding, and reduce the formation of scar tissue. Sometimes dissolvable stitches are used, which dissolve on their own over time.
The surgery usually takes between 30 and 90 minutes .
Is there any pain after the surgery?
During the surgery, you will be asleep, so you will not feel any pain.
After surgery, you may feel some mild pain or discomfort as the anesthesia wears off. Many people describe this as feeling like a blocked nose with a blocked sinus. You may feel some pain or pressure around your eyes, forehead, cheeks, and upper teeth. This is normal and will gradually subside over a few days.
What are the benefits and risks of this surgery?
The main benefit is that your nasal passages are better open, allowing you to breathe more easily . This can greatly improve your quality of life.
As with any surgery, there are some very small risks involved with septoplasty, but these are very rare .
- Infection.
- Excessive bleeding.
- Decreased sense of smell (Hyposmia).
- Perforation of a hole in the nasal wall.
- Blood collection in the nasal wall (Septal hematoma).
- Temporary numbness of the nose and teeth.
- Toxic Shock Syndrome (very rare).
Your doctor will explain these risks to you in more detail.
What happens after the surgery and how long does it take to recover?
After the surgery, the medical team will monitor you until the anesthesia has completely worn off. Once you regain consciousness, if there are no problems, you can go home the same day.
It is normal to experience these things in the first few days:
- A bloody discharge from the nose (this is absorbed by the packing placed inside).
- A slight headache.
- Feeling like your nose is blocked.
- A feeling of fullness in the ears.
- A small swelling on the face.
You will be asked to see the doctor again about a week after the surgery. At that time, the splint or packing placed inside your nose will be removed.
The initial healing time is about a week or two , but it can take several months for the bones and cartilage inside the nose to fully heal.
How should I take care of myself during recovery?
Your surgeon will give you a set of instructions to follow, and following them is very important for a speedy recovery.
| Advice | Description of what to do |
|---|---|
| Taking care of the nose | Avoid picking your nose for the first week or two. Open your mouth if you sneeze. Sleep with your head slightly elevated and on your side. |
| Taking care of the dressing | Leave the gauze in place until the nose bleeds (usually two days). If the bleeding is severe enough to require changing the gauze every hour, call your doctor immediately. |
| Nose cleaning | Your doctor will show you how to rinse your nose with saline. If you have crusts around your nostrils, mix equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide, dip a cotton swab in it, and wipe the outside. Never put a cotton swab inside your nose. |
| Food and drink | It's best to avoid spicy foods for the first week or two, as they can make your nose runny. Other than that, you can eat normally. |
| Medicines | You can take over-the-counter pain relievers for pain. If you have a low-grade fever (less than 101 Fahrenheit), your doctor may recommend taking a fever-reducing medication like acetaminophen. |
| Activities | Stay home for a few days and rest well. After about a week, you can start doing light activities like walking and doing small household chores. It will take about a month to start doing strenuous activities like exercising. |
When should I call the doctor immediately?
If you develop any of these symptoms during your recovery, call your doctor immediately . If necessary, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
- Uncontrollable nosebleed.
- Loss of consciousness or confusion.
- A high fever (over 102 Fahrenheit) or a fever that lasts more than two days.
- Stiff neck.
- A pain that does not subside even after taking medication, but rather intensifies .
- A severe headache.
- Difficulty breathing.
Are Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty the same thing?
No. These are two types of surgeries.
Simply put, Septoplasty is a surgery that restores the function of the inside of the nose, making breathing easier. Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic surgery that changes the appearance of the nose.
Septoplasty surgery does not change the external shape of the nose . However, if you also want to change the shape of your nose, your doctor may perform a Rhinoplasty surgery along with the Septoplasty surgery. You can talk to your doctor about this.
In conclusion, if you are having difficulty breathing due to a deviated septum, Septoplasty may be a good solution for you. It can open up the nasal passage and relieve related problems such as snoring. However, not all cases of difficulty breathing are caused by a deviated septum. Therefore, it is important to see a doctor to determine the exact cause of your symptoms.
Take-Home Message
- Septoplasty is a surgery to straighten a deviated septum in the nose and make breathing easier.
- This is a common, low-risk, minor surgery, and you can usually go home the same day.
- Initial recovery after surgery takes a week or two. It is essential to follow medical instructions for a speedy recovery.
- Septoplasty does not change the external appearance of the nose. If you want to change the appearance, it can be done in conjunction with rhinoplasty.
- If you are having difficulty breathing, see an ear, nose, and throat specialist to accurately diagnose the cause and receive the most appropriate treatment.
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