Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to straighten the bone and cartilage dividing the space between your two nostrils (septum). When the septum is crooked, it’s known as a deviated septum.
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to straighten the bone and cartilage dividing the space between your two nostrils (septum). When the septum is crooked, it’s known as a deviated septum.
The doctor cuts a wall on one side of the nose and lifts or removes the mucosa, a thin membrane that covers and protects the septum. This allows the doctor to reshape the septum's bone and cartilage. Sometimes parts of the bone and cartilage are removed, then reshaped and repositioned.
The pain following a septoplasty is typically mild to moderate and generally feels like a sinus infection, with distribution across the cheeks, upper teeth, around the eyes, or in the forehead.
In most cases where the septum is deviated inside the nose, with no external deviation, a septoplasty does not change the shape of the nose. However, depending on the location of the deviated septum, a septoplasty may need to be combined with a rhinoplasty to get the best breathing and cosmetic results.
In most cases where the septum is deviated inside the nose, with no external deviation, a septoplasty does not change the shape of the nose. However, depending on the location of the deviated septum, a septoplasty may need to be combined with a rhinoplasty to get the best breathing and cosmetic results.
Septoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure, so most patients can go home the day of surgery. Swelling may last two to three days, but full recovery may take up to three months.
Septoplasty is a common surgical procedure used for correction of the nasal obstruction caused by a deviated septum.