What is Septoplasty?
Trouble breathing? You’re not alone. A deviated septum causes troubles including difficulty breathing, improperly draining sinuses, nasal congestion, and even recurrent sinus infections or chronic sinusitis. The nasal septum is the thin wall of cartilage between the nostrils. If the septum is deviated (bending to the right or left), this creates a nasal obstruction on one side, which can cause physical and aesthetic concerns.
Septoplasty is an internal nasal surgery performed on patients to provide relief from a deviated septum. Because of this, it’s sometimes referred to as deviated septum surgery. Unlike rhinoplasty, a septoplasty doesn’t include external work to improve the outward appearance of the nose. Cosmetically speaking, though, if the septum is deviated, it may cause the nose to appear slightly crooked. Fixing the deviated nasal septum through septoplasty can generally improve the appearance of a crooked nose.
The septoplasty procedure is usually performed internally in combination with the external cosmetic portion to give an overall improvement in the function and appearance of the nose, but can also be done alone in specific situations.
The Procedure
Dr. Timothy Janiga performs the septoplasty surgical procedure using general anesthesia in our Reno surgery center. Working through the nostrils, an incision is made to separate the mucosa (mucous membrane), or the soft tissue that lines the septum and nasal passages, from the underlying cartilage and bone. The bent cartilage is then trimmed and straightened before the mucosa is replaced.
This procedure takes approximately one to three hours with one to two hours of recovery time before leaving the surgery center.
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Recovery & Results
After septoplasty, moderate swelling and bruising are expected. Take pain medication as needed, use cold compresses, and keep your head elevated to minimize discomfort. An external nasal splint and internal septal splint are left in place for one week. Once this is removed, patients can return to work and most normal activities but strenuous exercise may need to be avoided for an additional few weeks.
Full results are expected within nine months. Generally, septoplasty results include the ability to breathe easier as well as a straighter nose.
Schedule a Consultation
We evaluate patients who desire septoplasty in our Reno/Tahoe offices. For more information, or to set up a consultation with Dr. Janiga for your septoplasty in our offices, please send us an email or call 775-364-0224.