What is the nasal septum?
Your nasal septum is the central wall that separates the left and the right side of your nasal airway. If this structure is curved, buckled, or twisted, you may experience trouble breathing, develop frequent nosebleeds, or even recurrent sinus infections. Additionally, if the twisted part of the septum is along the front of the nose, it can also make your nose look crooked.
Most people with nasal septum deformity are born with it, whereas others may have developed a deformity after a trauma to their face and nose. People are rarely born with a perfectly straight septum; in fact, many live with a deviated septum and have no problems at all.
How is a septoplasty performed?
A septoplasty may be performed with the aid of an endoscope, and it involves the correction or removal of the affected segment of the septal cartilage and bone. Meticulous examination of the nose before the surgery is essential for improvement of the nasal airway after septoplasty. A number of studies have reported the success rate for a septoplasty may range from 43 to 85%!
Siegel NS, Gliklich RE, Taghizadeh F, et al. Outcomes of septoplasty. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 122:228-232, 2000
Illum P. Septoplasty and compensatory inferior turbinate hypertrophy: Long-term results after randomized turbinoplasty. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 254: S89-92, 1997
Fjermedal O, Saunte C, Pederson S. Septoplasty and/or submucous resection? 5 years nasal septum operations. J Laryngol Otol. 102: 796-798, 1988
Becker SS, Dobratz EJ, Stowell N, et al. Revision septoplasty: Review of sources of persistent nasal obstruction. Am J Rhinol 22, 440-444, 2008
What causes unsuccessful septoplasty?
One reason for an unsuccessful septoplasty is that the surgeon failed to recognize that there were other nasal airway problems. While septal deviation may be one of the most common problems seen in patients with nasal airway obstruction, there are other important structures that need to be considered in order to have a functional nasal airway. Studies have shown that in patients who have persistent nasal airway obstruction after septoplasty, it is the nasal valve problem that was frequently missed from the initial evaluation. See (Nasal Valve Collapse) to learn more about nasal valve problems.
Becker SS, Dobratz EJ, Stowell N, et al. Revision septoplasty: Review of sources of persistent nasal obstruction. Am J Rhinol 22, 440-444, 2008
Gillman GS, Egloff AM, Rivera-Serrano CM. Revision septoplasty: a prospective disease-specific outcome study. Laryngoscope. 2014; 124(6): 1290-1295
Chambers KJ, Horstkotte KA, Shanley K. Evaluation of improvement in nasal obstruction following nasal valve correction in patients with a history of failed septoplasty. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2015; 17(5): 347-350
How long does it take to recover from a septoplasty?
This depends on the extent of the procedure. Some patients may require more than just a simple septoplasty. For example, patients may need a combined septoplasty and nasal valve repair procedure. If it is a simple septoplasty, or endonasal approach (“closed”) nasal valve repair procedure, patients will often return to work in a few days. Most patients do not require any nasal packing, and should be able to breathe through their nose after a few days. Sutures are placed inside the nose and will eventually dissolve.
If the patient required septoplasty with more extensive nasal surgery, such as the functional open rhinoplasty, patients will have a small incision under the nose and possibly a splint outside the nose. The small suture under the nose and the splint outside the nose will be removed at day 7 after the surgery. Patients may resume desk activities a few days after the surgery, but outdoor activity or exertion should be avoided for about 10 days. Aerobic exercises may be resumed after 2 weeks with intensity increased gradually thereafter.
What are the benefits of septoplasty?
Some of the benefits of a septoplasty include:
- If a deviated septum is obstructing the nasal airway, a septoplasty will help you breathe better.
- In some cases, a septoplasty will restore the compromised natural clearance of the sinuses.
- If the problems with your nasal septum make your nose appear crooked, a septoplasty may improve your appearance.
Double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Sang W. Kim at Natural Face Clinics specialize in aesthetic enhancement of the face, head, and neck, exclusively. Patients come to see us from the Syracuse metropolitan area and Central New York area including Ithaca, and Rochester. At Natural Face Clinics, we specialize in restoring the youthful neck contour, tired appearance of the brows and eyes, and skin laxity. We offer customized treatment, both surgical and non-surgical, including facelift, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), nose surgery (rhinoplasty), brow lift, neck lift, and skin resurfacing. Find out more by scheduling your personal consultation today.