Septoplasty surgery is one of the most common procedures performed by ear, nose and throat doctors (ENTs), with approximately 260,000 septoplasty surgeries performed every year in the U.S. The surgery is most often performed on adults and teens and can be used for one or more of the following reasons:
- Fix a deviated septum
- Clear nasal obstruction
- Remove nasal polyps
- Treat chronic sinus infections
- Prevent chronic nosebleeds
A study on the effectiveness of septoplasty surgery found that 77 out of 86 patients with septal deviation reported a “subjective improvement in their nasal obstruction.”
Let’s examine what you can expect before, during and after septoplasty surgery.
Before Surgery
An ENT specialist will determine your candidacy for septoplasty based on your medical history and the reason for the surgery. Most septoplasty surgeries take between 30 and 90 minutes. Right before surgery, you will receive instructions to stop eating, drinking or taking certain medications. Instructions will vary depending on the ENT specialist and must be followed precisely to prevent cancellation or rescheduling of the surgery.
During Surgery
Septoplasty is performed under general anesthesia. During the surgery, the surgeon will make an incision on one side of the nose and lift the membrane which protects the sinuses. Next, the septum bone and cartilage will be reshaped or removed to improve the underlying nasal structure. The surgeon will reposition the membrane over the septum once the restructuring is finished.
After Surgery
After surgery, the surgeon may place splints or packing to hold your nasal tissue in place, prevent nosebleeds and lower the risk of scar tissue. If they choose not to use splints, they may insert dissolvable stitches, which will go away on their own within a week.
After surgery, a change in nasal appearance can be expected due to the structural changes made to clear the airway. You can expect mild to moderate discomfort and swelling after the procedure but should be able to easily breathe in the air at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area in no time so long as you take care to avoid impact or damage to the nose.
Contact Blue Ridge ENT today to discuss your candidacy for septoplasty surgery.