3800 Reservoir Rd, 1st Floor Gorman
Washington, DC 20007
6862 Elm St, Suite 800B
McLean, VA 22101
Septoplasty
Septoplasty
Understanding the Nasal Septum and Its Role
The nasal septum is a structure made of bone and cartilage, lined with mucous membranes, that separates the two nasal passages. It plays a crucial role in providing structural support to the nose and optimizing airflow. However, when the septum is deviated or misaligned, it can cause various health issues, including:
- Breathing difficulties due to nasal passage obstruction
- Chronic sinus infections caused by poor drainage and ventilation
- Nasal irritation, leading to frequent nosebleeds or a persistently runny nose
What Is Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a specialized surgical procedure designed to correct a deviated septum and restore normal nasal function. Unlike cosmetic rhinoplasty, which enhances the appearance of the nose, septoplasty focuses on improving airflow and relieving breathing difficulties.
Who Is a Candidate for Septoplasty?
Individuals experiencing chronic nasal congestion, sinus infections, snoring, or difficulty breathing due to a deviated septum may benefit from septoplasty. The procedure is particularly recommended for patients whose symptoms do not improve with medication or other non-surgical treatments.
Pre-Operative Considerations
As with any surgical procedure, septoplasty comes with potential risks and benefits. During your consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your nasal anatomy, discuss your symptoms, and determine whether septoplasty is the best treatment option for you. Risks may include bleeding, infection, and temporary swelling, but most patients experience significant improvement in their breathing after recovery.
The Septoplasty Procedure
- The surgery is typically performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.
- Incisions are made inside the nose to access and reshape the deviated septum.
- In severe cases, an external incision between the nostrils may be required.
- The septal cartilage and bone are adjusted to improve airflow while preserving nasal structure.
Post-Operative Recovery and Care
- Initial recovery: Most patients take about one week off work to allow for healing.
- Activity restrictions: Strenuous activity should be limited for at least two weeks.
- Expected side effects: Mild swelling, congestion, and nasal tenderness are normal and improve over time.
- Long-term results: Most patients experience significant improvement in breathing and nasal function once healing is complete.
If you’re struggling with chronic nasal obstruction, schedule a consultation to determine if septoplasty is the right solution for you.
Septoplasty: Correcting a Deviated Nasal Septum for Better Breathing
What Is a Septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to correct a deviated or crooked nasal septum, which is the thin wall of bone and cartilage that separates your two nostrils. A deviated septum can partially or completely obstruct nasal airflow, leading to:
- Chronic nasal congestion or difficulty breathing.
- Frequent sinus infections due to poor drainage.
- Persistent runny nose or postnasal drip.
- Nosebleeds caused by irritation of the nasal lining.
A deviated septum can be congenital (present at birth) or result from trauma, such as a broken nose. If you experience breathing difficulties that do not improve with medication, septoplasty may be recommended to restore normal airflow.
Is Septoplasty Combined With Other Procedures?
Septoplasty is frequently performed alongside other nasal or sinus surgeries, such as:
- Rhinoplasty (cosmetic or functional nose reshaping)
- Turbinate reduction to improve airflow by reducing nasal swelling
- Sinus surgery to address chronic sinusitis or polyps
Your surgeon will assess whether additional procedures would enhance your breathing and overall nasal health.
How Is Septoplasty Performed? Will There Be Visible Scars?
Septoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia and involves:
- Reshaping the septum – The surgeon removes, repositions, or reinforces cartilage and bone to improve nasal airflow.
- Internal incisions – In most cases, incisions are made inside the nose, leaving no visible scars.
- External incision (if needed) – In more severe cases, a small incision (approximately 5mm) may be made between the nostrils.
- Splints instead of packing – Thin plastic splints may be placed inside the nose for one week post-surgery to stabilize the septum and prevent scarring. Unlike older methods, nasal packing is rarely required.
Pre-Operative Considerations
Before undergoing septoplasty, your surgeon will evaluate your nasal structure and breathing concerns. Approximately 90% of patients experience significant improvement in their ability to breathe following surgery.
However, like any surgical procedure, risks and potential complications exist, including:
- Nosebleeds (though rare, some bleeding is expected)
- Recurrence of septal deviation over time
- Septal perforation (a small hole forming between the nasal cavities, though uncommon)
Your surgeon will discuss these risks in detail and ensure you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Surgical Details: What to Expect
- The surgeon carefully removes, reshapes, and reinforces the cartilage and bone to correct airflow issues.
- Most patients do not require nasal packing, but internal splints are typically placed to maintain proper healing.
- The procedure is outpatient, meaning you can return home the same day.
Next Steps
If you suffer from chronic nasal congestion, sinus infections, or difficulty breathing, a consultation with Dr. Reilley can determine whether septoplasty is the right solution for you. Contact us today.
Septoplasty Post-operative Recovery
- Arrange for someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours if you have undergone general anesthesia.
- Go to bed and rest, lying on your back, with your head elevated with 2-3 pillows. You should be lying at a 45 degree angle.
- You may be up and around and able to go to the bathroom. You will be able to eat a light meal with assistance.
- Take medication only as directed.
- Mild to moderate pain after surgery is a normal occurrence, which should be relieved by the pain medication prescription you have been given. Most patients require pain medication for less than 7 days after surgery.
- Bloody drainage is expected from your nose after surgery and will gradually progress to blood-tinged mucous. You will have a drip pad placed under your nose that may be changed every 1-3 hours when saturated completely. This is often necessary for 2-3 days after surgery. If you have an active nosebleed with copious flow of blood, please call immediately and/or come to the ED for evaluation.
- Gently place ice packs or a bag of frozen vegetables on and around the nose for the first 24 hours after surgery (on for 20 minutes, then off for 20 minutes).
- You may be up and around as tolerated but expect to tire more quickly than usual.
- Keep activity and meals light.
- On the post-op day after surgery, start using nasal saline spray at least 3 sprays in each nostril at least 3 times per day (available over the counter from the drug store). This will help keep the nasal lining moist so as to avoid excessive crusting in your nose.
- For the first 48 hours, be sure to keep the incisions clean and dry; apply petroleum ointment as needed. After 48 hours, you may shower; avoid scrubbing the surgical are and do not submerge your face in water. Any external bandages may be changed daily or as needed, if they become saturated.
- You will come into the office for a post-operative check-up and to have your nose cleaned and any nasal packing and/or splints removed.
- No alcohol for the first 7 days after surgery, which can increase bruising and swelling.
- Your swelling and congestion will gradually fade over this time period, but may persist for up to 3 weeks.
- No strenuous activity or heavy lifting for 2 full weeks after surgery.
- Rest and good nutrition are important healing factors, especially during the first 6 weeks.
- Numbness and tingling of the upper lip, roof of mouth, and /or upper teeth may occur, which resolves with time.
2024 Dr. Michael Reilly Washington DC Rhinoplasty, McLean VA. Rhinoplasty and Plastic Surgeon. All rights reserved.