Deviated Nasal Septum Surgery: Everything You Need to Know

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Experiencing nasal obstruction or sinus issues? If so, you may have a deviated nasal septum. In this condition, the patient has a deviated nasal septum, a wall that divides the nasal passages, which causes difficulty breathing. 

To determine that you have a deviated nasal septum, focus on your breathing, does the air flow evenly? If not, you should consult with the surgeon. The surgeon will examine your nose through nasal endoscopy, which we will discuss later in this blog.

Some people are born with a crooked nose (deviated septum). However, it can also be caused by an injury. If you find that you have a crooked nose, you should consider seeking a doctor’s help. 

A nasal septum not only makes breathing hard but can also lead to further complications, such as sinus issues and problems with nasal shape. Thus, it can be very helpful to look for a suitable treatment.

What Is a Deviated Nasal Septum?

A deviated nasal septum can be explained as a condition in which the septum is bent or crooked instead of straight. The condition can block one or both nasal passages and affect the airflow, leading to further complications if not treated on time. 

Blockage of one or both nasal passages can cause poor drainage and may result in the sinus issues. The patient may also experience a stuffy nose that can create a breeding ground for bacteria. This can lead to infection and inflammation. In such a situation, a procedure called septoplasty will help you.

Ensure you obtain a review with an experienced specialist nasal surgeon like Mr Raj Lakhani. That’s because nasal blockages can also result from allergies, polyps, and turbinates (when too large). It is imperative that you have the correct diagnosis to ensure you receive the correct treatment.

In the case of turbinates, steroid nasal sprays can reduce swelling, and adhesive nasal strips can provide temporary relief.

How Is a Deviated Nasal Septum Diagnosed?

Your surgeon first examines the ins and outs of your nose. Afterwards, the surgeon will perform a nasal endoscopy, which involves inserting a tube equipped with a camera on its end for a detailed nose analysis. 

Besides nasal endoscopy, a CT (computed tomography) scan can also diagnose a crooked nose. If the surgeon finds a deviated nasal septum the cause for your difficulty breathing, they will advise you on the various treatment options depending on the severity of the condition. One such treatment is septoplasty.

Why Do You Need to Opt for a Procedure?

A procedure can provide you with relief from nasal obstruction and make it easier to breathe. The procedure involves straightening the septum by repositioning, trimming, and replacing bone and cartilage so that symptoms, like trouble nasal breathing, can be fixed. 

If you have a crooked nose or deviated septum, your surgeon may advise you on septoplasty, a procedure performed inside the nose to straighten the deviated nasal septum (made up of cartilage and bone) in such a way that it separates the two nasal chambers equally. The procedure is also performed to remove the nasal polyps or nasal tumours.

Although septoplasty alone rarely changes the nose’s shape, it is combined with a nose-shaping procedure called septorhinoplasty. Sometimes a septoplasty is a vital part of rhinoplasty or nose job procedure.

How to Prepare for Septoplasty?

• Choose a surgeon with expertise in handling the complexity of the septoplasty procedure. 
• Ask your surgeon about the benefits and risks of the procedure.
• Also, openly answer your surgeon’s question. The surgeon will ask about your medical history, medicines you are taking, any allergies to anaesthesia, and symptoms you are experiencing.
• Your surgeon will conduct some tests, including inspecting your skin and the inside and outside of the nose.
• Your surgeon may take photographs from different angles if you are having a septoplasty procedure. Through these pictures, they will discuss the procedure plan with you. Moreover, these photographs will also be used for reference during and after the procedure.
• Ask your surgeon what the procedure can do for you.
• Refrain from smoking for at least four weeks before and after the procedure.

What Happens During the Septoplasty?

Before undergoing septoplasty, research to find the best surgeon for your procedure. Consult with Mr Raj Lakhani, a top surgeon at Rhinoplasty LDN. He will have an open discussion with you regarding the whole procedure. You can ask him any question you have related to septoplasty. He will briefly answer your question and advise you on the best treatment. If a septoplasty is needed, he will tailor a plan per your nasal anatomy and share this with you.

On the day of the procedure, the clinic staff and surgeon will discuss the detailed procedure plan with you. Afterwards, an anaesthetist will give you general anaesthesia either through a small tube (IV line) placed in a vein in your hand or by inhaling.

Once you are asleep, the surgeon will start making a small cut (incision) on one side of the inside of the nose to access the septim. Then, they will lift the mucous membrane, a protective covering of the septum.

Afterwards, the surgeon will move the deviated nasal septum into the right position. Sometimes they may need to trim the bone. In addition, any obstructions, like an extra piece of cartilage or bone, will be removed. Then, your surgeon will reposition the mucous membrane. After making these changes, the surgeon will stitch the incisions. The surgeon may occasionally also place silicone splints inside your nose to hold the septum and membrane in the right place. 

The whole procedure takes between 30 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the condition.

What to Expect After the Procedure?

After the procedure, the clinic staff will take you to the recovery room. Once you awake, the surgeon will monitor your health and discharge you the same day (in most cases). Your surgeon will also advise you on post-operative instructions and over-the-counter medications.

Your surgeon may also ask you to use irrigation treatment or saline sprays to clean nasal congestion – caused due to swelling and splints inside the nose. You may need to breathe through the mouth for several days until the soft packing (if used) inside the nose is removed. After a couple of weeks, you will start to notice the improvement in breathing.

How to Take Care of Yourself After the Septoplasty?

• Avoid nose-picking and blowing for several weeks.
• Raise your head higher than your chest when sleeping.
• Wear loose clothes that fasten in the front.
• Refrain from smoking for at least the first 8 weeks.
• Avoid strenuous activities for up to five weeks. 
• Maintain a balanced diet.
• Gently brush your teeth to prevent putting pressure on your nose.
• Avoid wearing sunglasses or eyeglasses for a few weeks. Instead, use contact lenses if you have had a rhinoplasty or nosejob.
• Wear SPF 30 sunscreen if you have had a rhinoplasty or nosejob when you go outside once the dressing and splints have been removed. This will prevent your nose’s skin from permanent irregular discolouration.
• Use ice packs after the dressing is removed to reduce pain and swelling if you have had a rhinoplasty also.
• Avoid dusty and smoky places.
• Try sneezing through your mouth.
• Don’t take a shower for the first 24 hours of the procedure.

Are There Any Complications or Risks with Septoplasty?

You may experience swelling, a little bleeding, and slight pain or tenderness on the front of the nose. In rare cases, patients may get vulnerable to infection, have some mild reaction to anaesthesia, and feel tired. There is a small chance of having a hole in the nasal septum after surgery. This is usually not noticable and there are options for treating this. Some patients also experience problems with their sense of smell which are usually short lived. However, generally the chances of getting any complications are low. Mr Raj Lakhani will discuss these details as well as any other concerns before the procedure.

To reduce the chances of swelling, bleeding, and infection, follow your surgeon’s advice for several weeks post-procedure.

What Is the Cost of Septoplasty?

The cost of septoplasty can vary widely based on multiple factors, like the surgeon’s expertise, clinic location, the procedure’s complexity, etc. 

To get an estimate for your septoplasty procedure, contact our expert surgeon Mr Lakhani now. 

There’s good news for people considering getting this procedure. The cost of septoplasty is most of the time covered by medical insurance. It depends on whether the procedure is performed for medical or cosmetic reasons. For medical reasons, your insurance will cover the cost. But this is not the case when you opt for septoplasty for as part of treatment for cosmetic reasons.

Takeaway!

A deviated nasal septum is either from birth or occurs from an injury. In this condition, a patient may experience trouble breathing due to a slightly off-centre septum. If you find you have a crooked nose, you should consult a surgeon immediately before the condition leads to any further complications, like sinus issues or sleep problems.

Contact Rhinoplasty LDN, a dedicated clinic in London, to improve the nose shape and function. Mr Raj Lakhani at Rhinoplasty LDN will first ask you about your symptoms and examine your nose to determine whether deviated nasal septum is the reason for your difficult breathing.

Based on the diagnosis, he will advise you on the best possible treatment that can provide you with relief. Contact us now!