{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Septoplasty", "alternateName": "Deviated Septum Surgery", "description": "Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct a deviated nasal septum. It involves straightening the cartilage and bone inside the nose to improve airflow and relieve nasal obstruction. The procedure may be performed with or without turbinate reduction.", "howPerformed": "The surgeon makes an incision inside the nostril to access the septum, then trims, repositions, or removes parts of the cartilage and bone. Splints may be inserted to support the septum during healing. The procedure is typically performed under local or general anesthesia and takes about 60 minutes.", "preparation": "Patients may be advised to stop certain medications, avoid smoking, and fast for several hours before surgery. A pre-operative consultation is required to assess nasal anatomy and overall health.", "followup": "Recovery includes avoiding strenuous activity, not blowing the nose, using saline sprays, and keeping the head elevated while sleeping. Splints are usually removed within 3–7 days. Full healing may take several months.", "indication": { "@type": "MedicalCondition", "name": "Deviated Nasal Septum", "description": "A condition where the nasal septum is displaced to one side, causing nasal obstruction, difficulty breathing, and recurrent sinus issues." }, "risks": [ "Septal perforation", "Nasal crusting", "Nosebleeds", "Reduced sense of smell", "Temporary or permanent numbness of front teeth", "Bleeding or infection", "Change in nasal appearance", "Anesthetic complications" ], "benefits": [ "Improved nasal breathing", "Reduced nasal obstruction", "Better sleep quality in some cases" ], "estimatedDuration": "PT1H", "url": "https://www.ceenta.com/conditions-and-treatments/septoplasty", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.ceenta.com/conditions-and-treatments/septoplasty" } }
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Providers

Mark J. Abrams, MD Steven Aziz, MD Young Jae Byun, MD Zachary Cappello, MD Stephen B. Clyne, MD Isaac Dingle, MD Michael T. Falcone, MD F. Brian Gibson, MD, FACS Adam R. Gigliotti, MD Jewel Greywoode, MD Robert E. Harley, MD S. Brett Heavner, MD Christopher T. Jones, MD, FACS Timothy J. Kelly, MD, FACS Chad S. Kessler, MD John D. Kilde, MD Darrell A. Klotz, MD, FACS F.P. Johns Langford, MD, FACS Joshua D. Levine, MD Roy S. Lewis, MD Jonathan R. Moss, MD Sriram Navuluri, MD Gregory S. Parsons, MD Sajeev K. Puri, MD Todd R. Reulbach, MD Jamie Scaglione, MD Michael W. Sicard, MD J. Robert Silver, MD Nicholas G. Stowell, MD Christopher L. Tebbit, MD Ross A. Udoff, MD Douglas B. Villaret, MD Teresa Vos, MD

A deviated septum can affect your ability to breathe and enjoy your favorite hobbies, including exercise. By understanding your symptoms for a deviated symptom, you can decide whether or not to receive treatment options like a septoplasty.

  1. What is a deviated septum?
  2. How is a deviated septum treated?
  3. What are the potential benefits of a septoplasty?
  4. What are the risks of a septoplasty?
  5. Relieva Tract Septal Balloon Dilation
  6. Septoplasty surgery for deviated septum in Charlotte, NC

What is a deviated septum?

The septum is the thin wall between your nasal passages. It is supposed to run straight down the center of the nose. When it deviates, or has moved to one side, it can block that side of the nose and reduce airflow. The septum can be deviated at birth, or it can become deviated from an injury. Most people have at least a slightly deviated septum. However, a significantly deviated septum can cause difficulty breathing, recurrent rhinitis, or sinusitis.

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Signs of a deviated septum include:

  • Nasal obstruction
  • Nosebleeds
  • Noisy sleep breathing
  • Facial pain

How is a deviated septum treated?

In some cases, a deviated septum can be treated with medicine, including decongestants, antihistamines, or nasal steroid sprays. In others, a surgical procedure called a septoplasty may be necessary.

Image of deviated septum that can be treated with a septoplasty and surgery for a deviated septum

During a septoplasty, the surgeon goes through the nostril to make an incision in the lining of the septum. They would then trim or straighten the cartilage. It may also be necessary to make cuts in the nasal bones to reposition them. After the septum is straightened, small splints may be inserted. Local or general anesthesia is used. In some cases, septoplasties are performed along with other sinus or nasal procedures.

The procedure should take about 60 minutes, with a recovery of up to several weeks. Post-op swelling or discoloration is rare unless there are unusual complications. The nasal tissues should stabilize 3-6 months after surgery, although it can take up to a year.

Turbinate surgery is often performed at the same time as septoplasty. Turbinates are shelves of tissue that project into each nasal passage. They can become excessively enlarged due to a deviated septum, underlying allergies, or other causes. Surgery can reduce enlarged turbinates back to a more normal size.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF A SEPTOPLASTY?

The primary benefit is improved breathing through the nose. In fact, septoplasty, with or without turbinate surgery, significantly reduces nasal obstruction in more than 85% of cases. Obviously, improvement cannot be guaranteed in every case.

Nasal surgery is less likely to help with headaches, nasal drainage, and sinus infections. While these symptoms may improve, the main goal is better nasal breathing.

In regards to snoring, nasal surgery is beneficial in only 20% of cases. Snoring and sleep apnea are usually due to throat obstruction, not nasal obstruction. As such, throat surgery and palatal procedures are more effective snoring treatments.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF A SEPTOPLASTY?

Risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • a hole in the septum (i.e., septal perforation), which could cause a whistling noise, nasal crusting, or recurrent nosebleeds.
  • a decrease in the sense of smell, which would also affect taste.
  • temporary or permanent numbness of the front teeth.
  • excessive bleeding during surgery or recovery which, on rare occasions, could require a blood transfusion.
  • infection, which could be localized within the nose or spread to the rest of the body.
  • a change in the external appearance of the nose due to a loss of nasal support structures.
  • anesthetic complications, both minor and life-threatening.

Fortunately, nasal surgery is commonly performed by ENT physicians and these complications occur in less than 2% of cases.

recovery and restrictions from septoplasty

After deviated septum surgery, patients should avoid strenuous activities, such as aerobics or other activities that could cause a blood pressure elevation. They may experience some congestion, but they should not blow their noses. They should instead use nasal spray to manage any congestion. They should also elevate their heads when sleeping, and they should wear clothes that fasten in the front instead of those that are pulled over the head.

Relieva Tract Septal Balloon Dilation

Relieva Tract Septal Balloon Dilation System is a minimally invasive technology that enables doctors to create space in the nasal cavity.

The Relieva Tract Nasal Balloon Dilation System is an instrument intended to provide increased intranasal space to allow access for endonasal and transnasal procedures and/or temporarily address nasal obstruction by displacing the inferior turbinate and lower nasal septum.

Septoplasty Surgery for deviated septum in Charlotte, NC

CEENTA's ENT physicians see patients for deviated septums in locations across North and South Carolina. They are trained in the most up-to-date surgical techniques and patient care.

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