Septoplasty is a surgery to straighten a deviated septum . The septum is the wall dividing the left and right nasal cavities. It is made of cartilage and bone and is lined with a thin mucus membrane.
A normal septum is relatively straight and in the center of the nose. A deviated septum is bent or significantly off-center. Septal deviation may occur during development in the womb, during birth, as your nose grows, or after a traumatic injury. Septoplasty may be done at the same time as other nasal surgery, like rhinoplasty .
Septoplasty is considered if a deviated septum obstructs your nasal passages. The obstruction can cause impaired nasal breathing, sinus infections , obstructive sleep apnea , recurrent nose bleeds , or a runny nose. A deviated septum may also need to be corrected with septoplasty if it causes chronic headaches.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a septoplasty, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
To prepare for surgery, follow any instructions provided by your doctor.
Septoplasty can be done using local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia will numb the area. General anesthesia will put you to sleep.
An incision will be made inside the nose. The lining of the septum will be removed. The bent bone or cartilage will be straightened by moving it or cutting off the bent piece. Once the repair is done, the lining will be replaced over the top of the septum. Gauze may be placed in the nose to soak up any blood. A plastic splint may also be inserted to keep the septum in place while it heals.
About 1 to 1-½ hours
Anesthesia will minimize pain during surgery. Following surgery, your nose may be tender or mildly painful. Ask your doctor about medicine to help with the pain.
Most patients leave the hospital or surgery center after 3-4 hours.
If nasal packing is used, it is removed 1-2 days after the surgery. The splint remains in the nose for up to a week. After the surgery, do the following to ensure a smooth recovery:
After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Otolaryngology
http://www.entnet.org/
The American Rhinologic Society
http://www.american-rhinologic.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Society of Otolaryngology
http://www.entcanada.org/default.asp
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
References:
Beers MH, Berkow R, Burs M, eds. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Whitehouse Station, New Jersey: Merck Research Laboratories; 1999.
Fact sheet: deviated septum. American Academy of Otolaryngology website. Available at http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/sinus/deviated-septum.cfm. Accessed September 9, 2005.
Ferguson BJ. Septoplasty and turbinate reduction. The American Rhinologic Society website. Available at http://american-rhinologic.org/patientinfo.septoplasty.phtml. Accessed August 31, 2005.
Way L, Doherty G, eds. Current Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment. 11th ed. New York, NY: Lange Medical Books; 2003.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Elie Edmond Rebiez, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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