What is Septum Surgery?

Septum surgery, also commonly referred to as septoplasty, is one of the most common procedures carried out by ear, nose and throat specialists in the US. If your ENT has recommended septum surgery, it’s likely that other measures have been tried and tested and haven’t quite worked for you. But the good news is that septoplasty is a method that sees 85% of people experience improvement in their condition. Here’s everything you need to know about the procedure!

What is a septum?

The septum is the wall of bone and cartilage that separates your two nostrils.

What is septum surgery?

Septum surgery, or septoplasty, is any procedure carried out on the septum. This form of surgery is most carried out to correct and realign a deviated septum. A deviated septum is essentially a septum that has been moved from its central position between your nostrils to one side of your nose. There are several ways that people can experience a deviated septum. Some people are born with it. Others experience a deviated septum due to an injury that has impacted the structure of the nose. However, regardless of the cause, it is something that needs to be resolved. If you have a deviated septum, you’re likely to find that one nostril is significantly smaller than the other, which can cause difficulties with breathing. You may also experience regular nosebleeds or facial pain.

Are there other options?

Septum surgery or septoplasty is the only means of realigning a deviated septum. But it’s important to know that this is a safe procedure with high levels of success. Most patients are extremely happy with the results.

The procedure

Septum surgery will take anywhere between 30 and 90 minutes, so it’s not a major procedure. Your ENT will be able to recommend local or general anesthetic. What is best for you will likely fall down to your individual preferences, as well as the anticipated complexity of your individual case.

The procedure itself will see your ear nose and throat specialist make an incision in one side of your nose. This will provide them with direct access to your septum. They will then lift your mucus membrane and move your septum into the right place. This may include removing any barriers, such as excess cartilage or bone. Your mucus membrane will then be put back in place and your nose will be stitched to hold the septum and mucous membrane in place until they have fully healed. In some instances, you may not need stitches and cotton packing will be sufficient to hold the septum and mucous membrane in place.

Results

Once you’ve had septum surgery, you are likely to experience increased ease in breathing shortly after the procedure has been carried out. The incision to your nose will also heal relatively quickly. You do need to be patient with your full recovery though. It is generally accepted that nasal tissues take around one year to fully recover.