Answering Your Questions About Septoplasty

Septoplasty is the medical term for nose septum surgery. It is a corrective procedure used to right a deviated septum. In turn, a deviated septum is when the bone and cartilage that separate one’s nostrils (septum) are crooked.

Most of the cases are congenital but sometimes it can be the result of an injury. Patients with a deviated septum have one nostril narrower than the other leading to breathing troubles. It is also fairly common to observe frequent nosebleeds and an increased risk of sinusitis.

A deviated septum can only be corrected by a septoplasty. It straightens the septum and clears the passageway for air. Sometimes the surgery is also performed as a cosmetic procedure to realign a crooked nose.

How to Prepare for a Septoplasty?

Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other blood-thinning medication are to be avoided for at least 2 weeks before the surgery. This ensures that you don’t bleed too much from the nicks. The ENT doctor will also need your medical history in case you are allergic to certain drugs or have bleeding problems.

Your doctor may also advise you to not eat or drink anything following the midnight before the surgery. This makes sure that you don’t throw up if the general anesthesia nauseates you. However, you can also opt for local anesthesia which simply numbs the area during the surgery.

It’s best if you bring along a friend or family member to take you home after your nose septum surgery since the anesthesia is going to leave you spacey and unfit to drive back.

How Is a Septoplasty Carried Out?

In the procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision on the side of your nose to get to the septum. The mucous membrane is gently moved out of the way to access the crook in the cartilage. The deviated septum is then repositioned, removing extra bone and cartilage in the process. Finally, the mucous membrane is moved to place.

The entire procedure can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes depending on the severity of the case. Usually, the doctor will pack your nose with sterilized cotton to keep the newly operated septum and membrane in place but sometimes, a few stitches might be needed to hold the septum.

Recovery Following the Procedure

Septoplasty is carried out in the outpatient department of a hospital. As long as no serious complication arise you should be able to go home the same day as the surgery. Do make sure that you have a trusted friend or family member to take care of you until the anesthesia has worn off.

For the first 2 days, post-op you can expect pain and major swelling in your nose. The doctor will pack your nose with cotton to keep the bleeding at bay and prescribe pain medication. You should, however, strictly stay off aspirin and ibuprofen. These thin your blood and can make the bleeding worse.

Doctors will also suggest avoiding heavy physical activity for a few weeks until the wound is healed. Take a break from exercise, running, and lifting.

How Can We Help?

For more than 35 years, our physicians at Oklahoma Otolaryngology Associates have provided clinical and surgical care for different ENT ailments, including nose septum surgeries. Our devoted team will come up with a treatment to specifically cater to your needs.

We assure you our medical care is unparalleled in the entirety of Oklahoma. In addition to Norman, we also have clinics in Edmond and OKC. To schedule an appointment, visit our website. You can also reach out to us via our contact us option.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.