Septoplasty: what it is, procedure and recovery (2023)

overview

What is a septoplasty?

Septoplasty is an operation in yourNosetarget adeviated nasal septum. Their septum, about 7 centimeters long (2.5 to 3 in) in adults, is made up of cartilage and bone. It separates the inside of your nose into two chambers, or nostrils.

A deviated septum is a septum that is crooked or curved instead of straight. It can block one or both nostrils and impede airflow. Your septum can deviate from an injury, but you can also be born with it.

Is Septoplasty a Major Surgery?

No. Septoplasty is a minor, low-risk procedure. Recovery typically takes a few days and requires an average of a week of downtime. But like any surgery, septoplasty carries some risks, including bleeding, infection, and deafness.

Who Needs a Septoplasty?

People with a septal deviation and a stuffy nose may need a septoplasty. Additionally, healthcare providers may recommend a septoplasty for:

• Removednasal polyps.
• Treatchronic sinusitis.
• Stop Recurrence (Chronic)nosebleeds(less common).
• Address other medical conditions that are blocking your nasal airways.

While septoplasty is often performed as a standalone procedure, your doctor may recommend a septoplasty and turbinate reduction. Whileturbinate reduction, your surgeon reduces the size of the small, bony structures in your nose.

Septoplasty is most commonly performed in adolescents and adults. While this is not generally the case for young children, there are specific instances where your child's provider may recommend it.

How common is a septoplasty?

Septoplasty is one of the most common procedures performed by otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat, or otolaryngologists). Surgeons in the US perform approximately 260,000 septoplasty procedures each year.

Procedural Details

What happens before the septoplasty?

You will meet with your doctor to discuss your septoplasty. You will be given a list of preoperative instructions that you should follow carefully.

Your provider needs to know about all medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbs. Before the operation, you should stop taking medication such asAspirin,Ibuprofen,Naproxenand sureHerbal supplementsthat make blood clotting difficult. You should also let your doctor know if you have any allergies or bleeding problems.

What happens during septoplasty?

Septoplasty is usually performed on an outpatient basis, so most people go home the day of their surgery. In most cases, a healthcare provider will place you under Generalanesthesia. This means you sleep during the operation. Local anesthesia, which numbs the part of the body being operated on, might be an option.

The procedure takes place entirely in your nose. Your surgeon makes an incision (cut) on one side of your nose and lifts the lining (a thin membrane that covers and protects the septum). This allows your surgeon to reshape the bone and cartilage of the septum. Sometimes your surgeon removes portions of the bone and cartilage, and then reshapes and repositions the underlying structures of your nose. They then reposition the mucosa over the septum. Your nose will not be broken during the surgery. The operation takes between 30 and 90 minutes.

After that, your surgeon can insert splints or soft packs to hold the nasal tissue in place, prevent nosebleeds, and reduce the risk of scar tissue. Normally the splints stay in place for a week. Sometimes your surgeon may just leave dissolving threads that will go away on their own over time.

How painful is a septoplasty?

After a septoplasty, you can expect mild to moderate discomfort. Many people compare the feeling to asinus infection– with some pain and pressure around themEyes, across the forehead and across the cheeks and upper teeth. These side effects are normal and generally go away within a few days.

What happens after septoplasty?

After your septoplasty, your medical team will watch you closely while the anesthesia wears off. As soon as you are awake and well, you can go home.

Your surgeon will provide you with a list of post-operative instructions that will help you manage pain, bleeding, and swelling after your septoplasty. During recovery, you should avoid exercise and heavy lifting. This is because an increase in yourheartbeatand blood pressure can cause additional bleeding, pain, and swelling. Your surgeon will tell you when it's safe to resume your normal routines.

(note: Read more about post-operative care in the Recovery and Outlook section below.)

Risks / Benefits

What are the benefits of septoplasty?

A septoplasty can improve airflow through your nasal passages. This can lead to a number of benefits. For example septoplasty:

• Treats breathing problems caused by a deviated nasal septum, nasal polyps, or other similar conditions.
• Can reduce or eliminatesnoring, giving you a better night's sleep.
• Allows better drainage from the sinuses, resulting in less sinus infections.

What are the risks or complications of a septoplasty?

Septoplasty complications are rare. But as with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks. These include:

• heavy bleeding
• Infection.
• Scars (this is not usually visible as it is in your nose).
• A perforation (hole) in your septum.
• Numbness of your nose and teeth (usually temporary).
• Toxic Shock Syndrome(rarely).
• Spinal fluid leak (rare).

Recovery and Outlook

What is the schedule for septoplasty recovery?

Initial septoplasty recovery usually takes about a week or less. However, overall healing of the bone and cartilage takes several months to a year.

How can I take care of myself after a septoplasty?

The initial healing time for septoplasty is about a week. Your surgeon will give you specific post-operative guidelines to follow closely during this time. Below are some general instructions to help you recover quickly and comfortably.

activity level

• Rest at home for a few days after the operation. You can resume light activities after a week if you feel ready. Avoid strenuous physical activity for a month. These include going to the gym, swimming and contact sports.
• Avoid blowing your nose and sneezing with your mouth open for the first week.
• If your caregiver has filled your nostrils with splints, avoid getting the splints wet when you shower. (It's okay to flush them with saline.) Your doctor will remove them in about a week. If you don't have splints, you can bathe the day after the operation.

Diet

• Unrestricted. Resume your normal diet as tolerated.

pain control

• Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such asParacetamol(Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®).
• If necessary, you can alternate acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) every three hours to control your discomfort.

Fever

• If you develop an inferior oneFever(101 degrees or less), take paracetamol.
• If you have a high fever (over 38 degrees) — or if your fever lasts more than two days — call your doctor.

Antibiotics

• Your provider can give youAntibiotics. You should start these on the day of your surgery and complete the entire course (unless your doctor tells you otherwise).

surgical bandage

• Your surgeon will place gauze under your nose after the procedure. You should leave this in place until the drainage stops - usually after 48 hours. You can change the gauze as needed.
• If you have heavy bleeding that requires changing gauze every hour, call your doctor for further instructions.
• Your surgeon may also place soft splints or packs in your nose. Typically, the packaging will self-dissolve. However, if they are still there, your provider will remove them on your first follow-up visit (usually after a week). (note: If the packing falls out when you sneeze, you don't need to replace it.)

Keep the surgical site clean

• You need to flush the inside of your nose with saline. Your provider will explain how to do this.
• If you develop scabs around your nostrils, dip a cotton swab in half the strengthhydrogen peroxide(equal amounts of peroxide and water). Then gently clean the area, being careful not to insert the cotton swab into your nostrils.

What is the outlook for people with a septoplasty?

The outlook after a septoplasty is generally good, with success rates of up to 85%. But about 15% of people who have a septoplasty don't notice a significant improvement in symptoms.

When to call the doctor

When should I see my doctor?

If you're constantly having trouble breathing through your nose, schedule a visit to your doctor. You may have nasal congestion due to a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or other medical conditions. Septoplasty may be a good treatment option for you.

If you've recently had a septoplasty, you should call your provider if you notice any of the following:

• difficulty breathing.
• A severe, uncontrollable nosebleed.
• Pain that gets worse and doesn't get better with medication.
• High fever.
• chills.
• Headache.
• disorientation.
• neck stiffness.

more details

Is a septoplasty the same as a rhinoplasty?

No. WhileNasenkorrekturwhether focused on changing the external appearance of your nose or focused on providing structural support for your nose, septoplasty will target the structures inside your nose. Rhinoplasty is generally acosmetic surgeryProcedure while septoplasty restores function.

Does septoplasty change the shape of the nose?

No. The septoplasty itself does not change the shape of your nose. However, if you want to change the shape of your nose in addition to correcting your septal deviation, your surgeon may be able to combine a septoplasty with a rhinoplasty. Ask your doctor about your treatment options.

A note from the Cleveland Clinic

Septoplasty is a minor surgical procedure that offers great benefits to many people. It can open your nasal passages and improve your breathing. Although septoplasty is a common procedure, it may not be right for everyone. So if you're having trouble breathing through your nose, your doctor needs to determine why. If you have nasal polyps or a deviated septum, a septoplasty can relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.