Septoplasty

What is it?

Septoplasty is surgery to straighten the septum, the wall of bone and cartilage that divides the inside of the nose in two. A crooked septum can be present from birth or develop later after a blow or an accident.

The curve makes it harder for air to pass through the nose and so harder to breathe through it. It can lead to snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep (apnoea), makes exercise harder and lowers quality of life. Septoplasty helps reduce the breathing problems caused by the curve. Done with the right technique, it does not change the outer shape of the nose.

Who is it for?

Septoplasty can be performed on women who have turned 16 and men who have turned 17, provided nothing stands in the way of surgery. When severe breathing difficulty and sleep apnoea are present, the decision to operate may be made earlier.

For patients who wish it, cosmetic procedures can be done in the same session. This is called septorhinoplasty.

The procedure

Septoplasty is usually done under general anaesthesia; for suitable patients, local anaesthesia can also be chosen at the patient’s request. Most of the time the operation is carried out through an incision inside the nose, so no visible scar is left on the face or nose. For some curves that cannot be corrected with the closed method, an open technique may be preferred.

The operation takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Almost all patients with a crooked septum also have enlarged turbinates (concha hypertrophy), so turbinate reduction may be carried out during the same operation.

Silicone splints are usually placed afterwards. They are not the cloth or cotton packing of the past; they have air channels, so they do not block breathing, and they are removed easily.

Recovery

Most patients go home the same day. There may be mild pain for the first 1 to 2 days; the pain relief and antibiotics you are given should be taken until the splints are removed, about 3 to 4 days after surgery.

Most people return to daily life within the first week. Avoiding heavy exercise for about a month is recommended.