The deviation of the nasal septum engenders breathing difficulties; with the latter being solely remediated through the surgical procedure of septoplasty. The intervention is purely functional and devoid of aesthetic aims. It rather serves to straighten the patient’s nasal septum in order to ease respiratory activity.
Indications
No person really possesses a perfectly straight nasal septum. A small displacement of the bone and cartilage does not generally cause complications. Conversely, if the deviation is important, the person might experience serious breathing difficulties. It is noteworthy that nasal septum deviation may also cause infections and discomfort.
As soon as displacement is detected, a preliminary medical treatment will be prescribed to ease breathing problems and prevent certain complications; however, the treatment may prove itself inefficient with time, which further highlights the importance of undergoing septoplasty.
How is septoplasty performed?
Septoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia and lasts from half an hour to an hour.
Through an incision made inside the nostril, the surgeon lifts up the tissue covering the septum. If the nasal septum only requires repositioning, the surgeon will do so by moving it in the middle of the nose. However, the surgeon may be required to cut or remove parts of the nasal septum to achieve nasal asymmetry.
Once the latter is performed, s/he may reposition the nose. The procedure is concluded by suturing the incision with absorbable stitches and placing silicone strips around each nasal cavity to hold the newly shaped nose in place.
What happens after septoplasty?
After septoplasty, the patient may experience pain, discomfort, or also bleeding. Such complications must be immediately reported to the surgeon.
Septoplasty & rhinoplasty:
Depending on the patient’s medical case, a
rhinoplasty (surgery of the nose) can be combined to a septoplasty to remedy respiratory difficulties and correct imperfections of the nose.
The decision to undergo rhinoplasty should be discussed with the surgeon as the results of the latter can alter the patient’s facial architecture.