Nasal septum surgery, or septoplasty, is a surgical procedure during which the nasal septum is straightened. The nasal septum is the wall that separates the right and left sides of the nose. It consists of cartilage and bone and is lined with mucous membrane on both sides. If the septum is crooked or deviated, it can narrow the nasal passage and make breathing through the nose more difficult. A curvature of the septum is called a deviation, and as a result, one side of the nose becomes narrowed.
The aim of septoplasty is to improve airflow through the nose, reduce persistent nasal congestion, and make the nose’s basic function — breathing — easier. Sometimes this surgery is also performed to provide the surgeon with better access during sinus surgery.
How is nasal septum surgery performed?
Nasal septum surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. It is a functional surgery. The main goal is to improve breathing through the nose and reduce the feeling of nasal blockage. During the surgery, the septum is not removed; instead, the deviated part of the septum is straightened by partially removing the cartilage and/or bone that forms the septum.
A minimally traumatic approach using a “Piezotome” ultrasonic bone-cutting device is used during the surgery.
At the end of the surgery, silicone splints, or plates, are inserted into the nose to create more favourable conditions for the healing process.
Duration: 1–1.5 hours, depending on the extent of the surgery.
Indications for nasal septum surgery:
difficulty breathing through the nose and a feeling of nasal blockage that interferes with function and reduces the patient’s quality of life;
sleep apnoea and snoring;
cases where a deviated septum obstructs access for sinus surgery.
Preparation for surgery:
consultation with an otolaryngologist, or ENT specialist;
computed tomography, or CT scan, of the paranasal sinuses;
standard examinations required before any surgery under general anaesthesia, including blood tests, chest X-ray, and electrocardiogram, or ECG. The patient is informed in detail about the preparation process.
After the surgery
After the surgery, the patient spends one night in the inpatient department. The following morning, nasal care is performed, the patient is informed about all recommendations, and they are discharged from the hospital.
During the postoperative period, mucus discharge from the nose and difficulty breathing through the nose due to the silicone splints are typical. The splints are usually removed after approximately seven days. It should be taken into account that for one month after the surgery, the patient must follow a rest regimen, actively care for the nasal cavity at home, and plan two postoperative visits to an ENT specialist. Detailed recommendations are provided to each patient individually.
The surgery is usually performed through the nostrils, without external incisions, so it usually does not change the external appearance of the nose. In rare cases, the shape of the nose may change slightly.
