The nasal septum is the bone and cartilage that divide the nasal cavity of the nose. If the septum is deviated there’s a sideways displacement of the bone and cartilage. Approximately 80% of people in the United States do not have a straight nasal septum. A deviated septum only refers to severely displaced septums. The misalignments that require treatment are the ones that cause significant breathing problems. Those with a deviated septum are either born with one or develop one after an injury or some trauma to the nose.
The number one symptom of a deviated septum is nasal congestion. One side of the nose will be more congested than the other and there will be difficulty breathing. You may experience repeated sinus infections with a deviated septum. You will also have frequent nosebleeds, headaches, postnasal drip, facial pain along with loud breathing and snoring during sleep. A serious condition known as sleep apnea can occur with those that have a deviated septum. Those that suffer from sleep apnea stop breathing during sleep.
There are times when symptoms can be taken care of with medications. If medication alone isn’t enough then surgery may be required. The surgical procedure for a deviated septum is called a septoplasty. This surgery will repair a crooked septum and will make breathing easier. When a septoplasty is preformed, the surgeon will work through the inside of the nose and make a small incision in the septum. Excess bone or cartilage will be removed to make the breathing space more equal. There are times when a rhinoplasty is done along with the septoplasty to improve the appearance of the nose. Sinus surgery can also be performed with a septoplasty. These procedures are done on an outpatient basis with local or general anesthesia. Surgery takes about an hour to an hour and a half but will depend on the amount of work that needs to be done.
You will be at home resting three to four hours after surgery. To stabilize the septum during the healing process, splints or soft packing material will be placed in the nose. Little to no swelling or bruising is expected with a septoplasty alone. If a rhinoplasty is done along with the septoplasty then you can expect a week or two of swelling and bruising. It’s best to do a septoplasty or rhinoplasty after the age of 15 because this is when the nose has stopped growing. As with any surgery there are risks but the benefit of being able to breathe better probably outweighs the risks and medical procedures are always getting better. There is a new procedure called a balloon septoplasty that doesn’t require surgery and can be done in the office. This procedure great for those with milder cases.
Are you experiencing the symptoms associated with a deviated septum? There may be another reason that you’re experiencing these symptoms like nasal allergies or chronic sinusitis. Make sure you talk to an experienced ENT specialist to make sure you get the right diagnosis. Contact ENT Specialists today to discuss your options.
