SEPTOPLASTY AND SEPTAL RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY

The septum is the main structure in the middle of the nose that separates two nasal cavities. The septum is made of cartilage, bone, and a membrane (mucosa).
Septum deviation can be due to genetics, childhood trauma, allergies, surgeries etc.

The deviation can be on the bony part or cartilaginous part and can cause mild to severe breathing problems. Due to lack of proper breathing cycle and oxygenation; sinusitis, headaches, postnasal drip syndrome, chronic dry cough, tiredness, lack of performance, lack of concentration, sleeping disorders, anxiety, high blood pressure and many other medical problems can be related to septum deviation.

Septoplasty is a surgery that helps repair the passageways in the nose making it easier to breathe and also can be a corrective surgical procedure that aims to straighten a deviated nasal septum to adjust the height of the nasal bridge or to reconstruct the shape of the nasal tip especially nostrils.

Due to septal deviation and breathing problems; nostril size on the same side can be wider and inferior turbinate on the opposite side enlarges, which is termed compensatory hypertrophy.

Septoplasty surgery is done under both local and general anaesthesia and there is no need for hospital stay after the surgery. Some internal sutures and dressings applied which then removed in a couple of days or absorb themselves.

Most rhinoplasty surgeries need septoplasty surgery done at the same time because septum is the main cartilage support of the middle and lower body of the nose and deviations on the septum cause deviations on the actual nose. Grafts used to improve the shape during a rhinoplasty is also mostly taken from the septum.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. I do not have any breathing problems, but I have a crooked/deviated nose shape. What do I do?
   1. If you are born with a septum deviation you probably do not know the quality of healthy breathing and nasal endoscopy is needed to find out how severe is the septum deviation
   2. Sometimes septum deviation is located higher in the nose and does not cause any breathing problems and cause only shape and asymmetry problems
2. Can septum deviation be corrected with a medication?
   1. Septum deviation is an anatomical problem and can not be treated with medication.
3. Is there any scarring risk at Septoplasty surgery?
   1. Septoplasty is done from inside of your nose and there is no cuts or sutures outside of your nose so there will be no scarring
4. Can I correct my nostril asymmetry with only septoplasty surgery?
   1. Sometimes septum cartilage is longer, and deviation can be visible from outside just through your nostrils. This can be corrected with only septoplasty surgery.
5. Will I have any casts or bandages after Septoplasty?
   1. There is no need for casts or bandages
   2. Silicon or sponge dressings can be placed inside of your nose for 2-5 days which then be removed or self-dissolved
6. How soon I can return to work or social life?
   1. After septoplasty surgery, you can go back to your routine the next day
   2. If silicone splints are placed inside for 3-5 days, you may feel little congested until they are removed