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What is Nasal Septoplasty?

D. Jeffress
D. Jeffress

Nasal septoplasty is a surgery performed to correct problems with the septum, the section of bone and cartilage between the nostrils. The procedure involves making one or more small incisions in the septum, removing excess bone or cartilage tissue, and straightening out the remaining tissue. Nasal septoplasty allows patients to breathe easier through their noses and lowers the risk of chronic or frequent sinus infections. The surgery has a high success rate, and most patients are able to return to normal activities in about one week.

People who have crooked, or deviated, septums can experience a range of problems, including snoring, frequent nosebleeds, sinus infections, and general breathing difficulties. Nasal septoplasty may be considered when medications and non-surgical aids fail to provide long-term symptom relief. A surgeon will thoroughly review a patient's x-rays, medical history, and current medication use to make sure he or she is a good candidate for the procedure. In most cases, surgeons prefer to work on relatively healthy adults whose facial bones are done growing.

It is important to keep the head elevated for at least 48 hours after nasal septoplasty to limit bleeding and swelling.
It is important to keep the head elevated for at least 48 hours after nasal septoplasty to limit bleeding and swelling.

Nasal septoplasty can usually be completed in an outpatient center in less than one hour. Upon arrival at a clinic, the patient is situated in an operating chair, similar to a dentist's chair, and given general anesthesia. The surgeon or an assistant flushes the nasal cavity with a saline solution and sterilizes the sides of the septum. One to three small incisions are made, and any overgrown sections of tissue are cut or filed away. The surgeon then manually realigns cartilage tissue in the septum, sometimes with the aid of stabilizing plastic pins.

Nasal septoplasty may be a treatment option for patients who suffer from nightly snoring as a result of a deviated septum.
Nasal septoplasty may be a treatment option for patients who suffer from nightly snoring as a result of a deviated septum.

Once the septum is straightened, the incisions are sutured and cotton packing is placed in the nostrils. The patient is brought to a monitoring room to recover from the anesthesia, which may take several hours. Before leaving the facility, the patient is given detailed home care instructions. It is important to keep the head elevated for at least 48 hours after nasal septoplasty to limit bleeding and swelling. Packing can usually be removed after the first day, and activities such as working and driving can be resumed in about a week.

Nasal septoplasty requires general anesthesia.
Nasal septoplasty requires general anesthesia.

It may take several weeks or months to fully recover from nasal septoplasty. Patients may experience pain and discomfort from swelling, but symptoms usually subside in the first two weeks. It may not be possible to breathe easily through the nose for the first month. After recovery is complete, however, most people enjoy significantly better breathing and sleep.

Discussion Comments

Raynbow

@ocelot60- I have a friend who had septoplasty, and she didn't have much pain at all. The key to an easy recovery is to follow your surgeon's orders, and get plenty of rest while you are healing.

Ocelot60

How painful is the recovery process after having nasal septoplasty? I have heard that it is a long process after initial pain and swelling.

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    • It is important to keep the head elevated for at least 48 hours after nasal septoplasty to limit bleeding and swelling.
      By: stryjek
      It is important to keep the head elevated for at least 48 hours after nasal septoplasty to limit bleeding and swelling.
    • Nasal septoplasty may be a treatment option for patients who suffer from nightly snoring as a result of a deviated septum.
      By: Dmitriy Melnikov
      Nasal septoplasty may be a treatment option for patients who suffer from nightly snoring as a result of a deviated septum.
    • Nasal septoplasty requires general anesthesia.
      By: uwimages
      Nasal septoplasty requires general anesthesia.
    • A nasal septoplasty can help lower the likelihood of chronic and recurrent sinus infections.
      By: drubig-photo
      A nasal septoplasty can help lower the likelihood of chronic and recurrent sinus infections.
    • Nasal septoplasty is a surgery performed to correct problems with the septum.
      By: kistya
      Nasal septoplasty is a surgery performed to correct problems with the septum.
    • Nasal septoplasty may be performed on people who have general breathing difficulties.
      By: Antonioguillem
      Nasal septoplasty may be performed on people who have general breathing difficulties.