What is a Deviated Septum?

Post Date: 10/23/2020

The thin wall between the nostrils is made of cartilage and bone and is called the septum. Typically, it sits at the center and divides the nostrils evenly. However, this is not the case in some people. Almost 80% of people have a deviated nasal septum due to genetics, injury, or some kinde of trauma. This is why many people have an uneven septum, which means one nostril being larger than the other. When this cartilage or bone is off-center (deviated to one side) or crooked, it is referred to as a deviated septum. Many people who live with a deviated septum do not notice the symptoms and therefore do not receive treatment.

However, the nose is an important receptor for people's health. It filters the air, cleans dust, germs and irritants. The nose also contains nerve cells that provide body with the sense of smell. So the rest of the body greatly suffers when there is a problem with the nose. For example, a stuffy nose can make it difficult to breathe, sleep or relax.

The most common symptoms of a deviated septum are difficulty in breathing and ongoing sinusitis, infection or inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.

Symptoms are often mistaken for those of a respiratory infection, common cold or allergy. Other symptoms and signs associated with a deviated septum include nasal blockage, nasal congestion often more intense on one side, sinus infections, nosebleeds, frequent crusting or dry nose often in the larger nostril due to increased airflow drying out mucous membranes, noisy breathing while sleeping, facial pain, postnasal drip, headaches, snoring, whistling noise while inhaling or exhaling, a tendency to sleep on one side which is often the side opposite of the blocked nasal passage, and sleep apnea in severe cases. Surgery is the only way to fix a deviated septum. Septoplasty is the surgical procedure to correct a deviated septum. Septoplasty straightens the septum allowing for better airflow through your nose.

What Happens During a Septoplasty?

The length of surgery and the anesthetics to be used depends on the level of a deviated septum. The operation can take 60-90 minutes and is performed using general anesthesia.

The surgeon makes an incision inside the patient’s nose andl reposition the septum to the center of the nose. He/she may need to cut or remove parts of the septum during this process. Septoplasty surgery can also be combined with rhinoplasty (nose job) to reshape, resize or recontour the nose.

The splint on the nose after the surgery will remain for about one to two weeks, while the packing is removed after a day or two. During the recovery period, the patient may experience minor pain as well as difficulty in breathing for about 2-4 weeks before the patient's nose goes back to normal and the patient feels healthy.  Though it can take up to 12 months before seeing the final results of the septoplasty in some cases. Septoplasty not only improves the functionality of the nose, but also provides a far better aesthetically pleasing appearance for the patient. The time of recovery may vary depending on the level of deviation. The patient can start eating and drinking 3 hours after the operation, but he/she may be required to follow a soft and liquid diet for a certain time. An average time of recovery should be 1-4 weeks. Patients often return to their normal lives and dietary routines after the 2^nd day.

Septoplasty helps a lot of people in breathing and improving their quality of life. If you too are suffering from a deviated nasal septum and looking for a permanent treatment, feel free to contact us for more information about septoplasty.If you consider having rhinoplasty surgery, contact us right away to get a free consultancy service from Prof. Dr. Selçuk İnanlı.