Septoplasty

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A septoplasty is a procedure performed to correct a deviated septum. A deviated septum may cause a variety of symptoms, such as difficulty breathing. Individuals may have a deviated septum as a result of an injury or they may have been born with a deviated septum.

Benefits of Septoplasty

A septoplasty can help alleviate the following symptoms commonly caused by a deviated septum:

- - Difficulty breathing
  - Frequent nosebleeds
  - Facial pain

How to Prepare for Septoplasty

Two weeks before a septoplasty, patients may need to stop taking certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and other blood thinners because they increase a patient’s risk of excessive bleeding during and after the procedure. Patients should avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before the surgery if they are going to be under general anesthesia. This will help prevent patients from vomiting and choking if they become nauseated from the anesthesia during surgery. Patients should have a family member or friend ready and able to drive them home after the surgery.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Once the patient is under anesthesia, the surgeon will make an incision on one side of the nose to access the septum. The surgeon will then lift up the mucous membrane and move the deviated septum into the right position. Extra pieces of bone or cartilage will be removed to help correct the septum and the mucous membrane will be re-positioned. Patients may need stitches to hold the septum and membrane in place, or they may only need their nose packed with cotton. The entire procedure may take between 30 to 90 minutes to complete, depending on how complex the condition is.

After the Procedure

Patients will be able to go home on the same day as soon as the anesthesia wears off. After the procedure, a patient’s nose will be swollen, in pain, and packed with cotton to control bleeding. In most cases, the packing may be removed a day or two after surgery.

Patients will be prescribed medication to help manage their pain. They will be cautioned against taking aspirin, ibuprofen and other drugs that thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding after the procedure.

To help minimize swelling and promote healing, patients should limit their physical activity for several weeks after surgery.

Tips for a Quick Recovery

To help speed up the recovery process, patients should:

- - Avoid blowing their nose for at least three days after surgery
  - Elevate their head at night to minimize swelling
  - Wear button-up shirts to avoid having to pull clothing over the head

The overall healing process, however, can be slow. Cartilage and other nasal tissues may need up to one year to fully set into the new shape.

Side Effects and Risks of a Septoplasty

There is a chance that patients will need a second surgery, called a revision septoplasty, to make additional corrections. Patients may also experience the following rare risks:

- - Bleeding
  - Discoloration of the nose
  - Altered nose shape
  - Decreased sense of smell
  - Scarring
  - Perforation of the septum
  - Excessive bleeding and infection

Septoplasty

Benefits of Septoplasty

How to Prepare for Septoplasty

What to Expect During the Procedure

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