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What Is Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a type of surgery that reshapes the nasal septum. It’s also called septal deviation surgery, septum surgery or nasal septum correction. It can be done as an independent procedure or part of a full rhinoplasty to address the shape of your whole nose. In most cases, the septal deviation is caused by trauma. This can be during birth and would become more apparent as they grow up.
The nasal septum is a wall of bone and cartilage that separates the inner nose chamber into the left and right chambers. The nasal septum is made of:
- A hard bony part: The upper and posterior portion of the nasal septum is made of tough bone (Ethmoid and Verum bones)
- A soft cartilage part: The anterior and lower portion of the septum is made of cartilage – a flexible, firm type of tissue (same firmness as the tip of your nose). This part extends to the end at the columella, the tissue column between your nasal opening.
In general, septoplasty alone is less extensive compared to a full rhinoplasty. Therefore, it involves fewer risks, faster recovery, and less downtime. Septum surgery can help to improve the appearance of the nose and the way you breathe.
Who Needs Septoplasty?
Septoplasty may be performed for cosmetic reasons such as an over-projecting nose or crooked nose or to address nasal symptoms. If you have a deviated septum, you may consider undergoing a surgical correction if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Crooked, uneven nose
- Recurrent nose bleeds
- Dry nose with crusting
- Recurrent allergies
- Very bad allergy symptoms
- Stuffy, congested nose
- Nasal voice
- Snoring at night
- Difficulty breathing
- Facial pain and recurrent headaches
Septal deviation is one of the most common causes of uncomfortable nasal symptoms. The uneven septum disturbs the natural airflow dynamics in the nose. This leads to obstruction and excessive dryness of the nasal mucosa. Dry mucosa crusts, bleeds and itches frequently. Moreover, nasal septum deviation can block your sinus outlets. It can lead to recurrent sinusitis, headaches, and excessive allergy symptoms. So, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms a septoplasty may help.
Why Consider a Septoplasty?
A Septoplasty may help:
- Address a crooked deviated nose
- Address uneven nostrils
- Improve breathing
- Relieve nasal congestion and stuffiness
- Stop nosebleeds caused by dry nose
- Fix an over-projected nose
- Help prevent recurrent sinusitis
- It can be combined with full rhinoplasty to alter the shape of the nose
- Less intensive than full rhinoplasty
- Less recovery time and fewer symptoms compared to a full rhinoplasty
Septoplasty may also change the appearance of your whole face. Moreover, it may help relieve the nasal symptoms associated with nasal obstruction.
How Is Septoplasty Performed?
Septoplasty is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. This means that you can usually go back home on the same day but may choose to stay overnight in Hospital.
Septum deviation surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia, which means that you will be put to sleep during the whole operation.
Here’s how the septum deviation correction is performed:
- After anaesthesia, Dr Hunt starts with an incision in the nose. In most cases, Dr Hunt usually uses the “closed technique” for septoplasty. This is when the incision is made inside the nostril.
- Sometimes, however, Dr Hunt uses an “open technique” for septal correction. This is when an extra incision is made on the columella between your nostrils. This is more common in patients who need more excessive septal trimming and possibly other interventions (e.g., tip plasty, alarplasty, nasal bridge reduction, nose lift). This type of procedure is called a Septoprhinoplasty.
- After that, Dr Hunt lifts the nose skin and tissue to better see your nasal septum on the inside.
- He will then address the nasal septum to achieve an appropriate orientation and size. Dr Hunt will cut pieces of the septal cartilage and, sometimes, even the bone. In some cases, he might use sutures to fix the cartilage in place.
- Once Dr Hunt is satisfied with the shape, size, and orientation of the nasal septum, he will close the small wounds. He uses resorbable sutures.
- Sometimes, your nose might be packed with gauze or a silicone splint to maintain the septum in place until it heals properly.
After septum correction surgery, you will be woken up and taken to your room to recover.
Recovery After Septum Deviation Surgery
Septoplasty has a less intensive recovery when compared to full rhinoplasty. Septal deviation correction is less invasive and usually does not involve breaking nasal bones. Therefore, you can expect to recover faster and with fewer symptoms. Normal recovery symptoms and side effects of septoplasty include:
- Occasional blood spotting
- Pain around the nose
- Swelling and Bruising
- Decreased sense of smell for a while
- Some Numbness around the nose and upper lip
Full recovery usually takes 3-4 weeks. However, you can resume your daily activities much earlier. You can usually go back to your job after 3-5 days. By then, most of the symptoms will have significantly improved. You can start walking on the same day of septoplasty. Light activities can be resumed as of the second day. Running and jogging can be resumed 3-4 weeks after your procedure. Contact sports and risky traumatic sports (e.g., football, basketball, swimming) should be avoided for several months. Be careful – trauma to the nose after a septoplasty can alter the results.
