Septoplasty
What is it?
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 resect your turbinates (if they are hypertrophic). Sometimes the procedure may involve an aesthetic intervention on your nose, thus becoming a rhynoseptoplasty.
What is it for?
Your ENT specialist may suggest surgery if you have trouble breathing due to a deviated septum.
How does it work?
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 it?
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.
If you smoke, you’ll need to stop before the procedure. You will also have to avoid taking any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) two weeks before and two weeks after the procedure.
Post-operative progress
After the surgery, you’ll need to go back to the hospital twice (one week apart from each visit) to check on and replace the dressing, to monitor your recovery and to remove any potential adhesions.
Spraying a hyaluronic acid mist on your face can help with the scarring and tissues healing.
One week 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.
Other treatment options
If you have a mild deviation, laser surgery can be a good option. In this case, the deviated septum is straightened with laser septoplasty.
This technique can be helpful for straightening the septum without causing you any pain (neither before nor after it), with much less bleeding and an easier healing process.
Articles related to
Septorhinoplasty: why have a nose job and what to expect
By Mr Paul Chatrath
2019-11-20
Surgery may be done on the nose for a number of reasons. Perhaps the individual isn’t happy with the appearance of their nose and their motivation is purely cosmetic; other times they can’t breathe properly, so they opt for surgery for functional reasons. On some occasions, the surgery may be a combination of the two. Distinguished ENT surgeon Mr Paul Chatrath is here to explain septorhinoplasty. See more
Septoplasty: unblocking your nose with surgery
By Mr Hesham Saleh
2019-11-20
If you have a blocked nose due to a structural problem, your doctor might recommend surgery. A septoplasty is performed when your septum is causing the blockage. We spoke to leading rhinologist Mr Hesham Saleh about what patients can expect from the procedure, what risks are involved, and whether the appearance of your nose can be affected. See more
Septoplasty: what to expect before, during and after the procedure
By Mr Florian Bast
2019-11-19
If you have a crooked septum that doesn't run down the centre of your nose, making it difficult for you to breathe, then continue reading to understand what surgical options you have to fix this condition and improve the airflow through your nose. Mr Florian Bast, a leading otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon in London, explains everything you need to know about the surgical procedure. See more
Deviated septum: when it needs treatment
By Mr Abbad Toma
2019-11-17
A deviated septum is where the middle part of your nose – which divides your nostrils – is slightly to one side. Up to 60-70% of us could be affected by nasal septum deviation – so when does it need treatment? We spoke to leading London-based ENT surgeon, Mr Abbad Toma...Deviated septum: when it needs treatment See more
Experts in
-
Mr Paul Chatrath
Otolaryngology / ENTExpert in:
- Septoplasty
- Tonsillitis
- Pinnaplasty
- Rhinitis
- Sinusitis
- Septorhinoplasty
-
Mr David Roberts
Otolaryngology / ENTExpert in:
- Rhinoplasty (nose job)
- Endoscopic sinus surgery
- Septoplasty
- Endoscopic skull base surgery
- Facial plastic surgery
- Allergic nasal polyposis
-
Mr Abbad Toma
Otolaryngology / ENTExpert in:
- Endoscopic sinus surgery
- Rhinoplasty (nose job)
- Sinusitis
- Pinnaplasty
- Septoplasty
- Septorhinoplasty
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