If necessary, septum correction surgery or septoplasty can be performed.Existing septal defects are often accompanied not only by reduced respiratory function and related health problems, but also by cosmetic defects.
Who needs surgery
A deviated septum may occur due to trauma, physiology, or compensatory issues.Conservative medical treatment can relieve symptoms but does not address why they occur.Surgery can be performed if there are no contraindications such as diabetes, cardiovascular, oncology, or infectious diseases.Additionally, patients should not have acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections at the time of surgery.
Patients should undergo surgery if they experience the following symptoms:
- There are cosmetic defects - bends, humps, dents;
- difficulty breathing;
- Reduced sense of smell;
- Congestion often occurs;
- You often feel dryness in your nasopharynx;
- Breathing accompanied by snoring during sleep;
- Frequent headaches and nosebleeds;
- decreased concentration, memory, and performance;
- Respiratory allergies occur.
In this case, the listed signs are recognized in complex cases, and after examination (including with the help of an endoscope) it is decided jointly by the patient and the otolaryngologist whether surgical correction of the curvature is necessary.
In some cases, surgery is performed to address other health problems.Therefore, correcting the nasal septum in people with bronchial disease, such as asthma, can result in a more fully functional respiratory system.
Preparation before surgery
Surgery can be performed after laboratory and diagnostic tests:
- General urine and blood tests;
- Blood biochemistry tests;
- Blood tests for infections;
- Coagulation test (coagulation chart);
- Check blood sugar levels;
- Electrocardiogram and fluoroscopy.
This list is expanded at the physician's discretion if there are appropriate indications in the patient's history.
In addition, patients should prepare for surgery several days in advance to avoid:
- Taking drugs that affect blood coagulation (aspirin, heparin, diclofenac, indomethacin, etc.);
- drinking and smoking;
- Preparation for male patients also includes removal of facial hair.
Skill
The surgery can be performed under appropriate anesthesia.If the bend affects tissues and structures without involving bony parts, general anesthesia is not required.In this case, local anesthesia is sufficient.When disturbing the bone structure, the surgery will be performed under general anesthesia.Pain relief can also be complex.
Modern surgery offers a variety of ways to perform surgery.Classic surgical methods and laser surgery to correct the nasal septum stand out here.Traditional use of the scalpel in this setting involves excision of the submucosa without the need for external incisions.Use a scalpel to perform mechanical maneuvers inside the nasal cavity.Endoscopy is used to enhance control.
In this way, the cartilage can be superficially corrected or the bony portion can be straightened.Since the incision is only on the mucous membrane within the nasal passage, the final aesthetic result is very high.There are no visible seams and subsequent scarring.
Laser septoplasty, as the name suggests, involves the use of a laser.This surgery may be performed if there is a minor disease that does not affect the bones.
Laser surgery is performed in two ways:
- A laser scalpel is used to straighten the septum and cut healthy tissue so that excess bulges and bends can later be removed.
- Correction is performed by using a laser to heat the septum to high temperatures to bring the septum into a plastic state.It is then mechanically given the desired shape.This method may also be called septal cartilage correction.
Features and advantages of laser technology:
- In this case, local anesthesia is used;
- The procedure is of low complexity and should last no longer than half an hour; there are no incisions or deep tissue damage, so the procedure is considered bloodless;
- According to the previous paragraph, do not use tampons, tampons, or gel after surgery;
- The cauterizing and disinfecting action of the laser ensures against further infection and promotes healing;
- Due to the above characteristics, the postoperative recovery period is not long and can be carried out on an outpatient basis without round-the-clock monitoring;
- The patient's aesthetics are not affected during recovery because there is no severe swelling or hematoma.
recovery period
Compared to the gentle nature of laser septum correction surgery, traditional surgery requires a longer recovery period.Immediately after the surgery, he needed to stay in the hospital to monitor initial results and assist with the recovery process.Hospitalization can last up to 10 days.
In the first few days, breathing is extremely difficult, caused by swelling of the nasal passages and the presence of gauze or modern silicone tampons or special gels.It is worth noting that silicone tampons, due to their structure, help restore the function of the respiratory system more effectively.
After removing the used material, perform a thorough examination of the nasal passages and septum.Further recovery will continue outside of a medical facility, with regular visits to the doctor for check-ups and prescribed medications.If there are no complications, you can be back to full strength when you leave the hospital, even if swelling takes longer.
possible complications
Possible complications after surgery:
- pain syndrome;
- hematoma and swelling;
- Nasal bleeding;
- Disruption of the integrity of the nasal septum due to the formation of a channel connecting the nasal passages;
- Maxillofacial numbness caused by nerve damage during surgery;
- purulent inflammation;
- Sinusitis, sinusitis, etc.;
- Nasal adhesions;
- Dulled sense of smell;
- blood clot formation;
- Various types of nose shape deformations.
To ease your condition and prevent possible complications during recovery, you must follow several rules:
- Do not go to the bathroom/sauna and solarium, do not take hot baths and showers;
- Do not expose yourself to the sun for long periods of time;
- Avoid hot food and drinks.
To avoid unnecessary stress and damage:
- Limit physical activity;
- Sleep on your back.
To prevent dry mouth (due to mouth breathing), it is recommended to increase fluid intake.You should also take prescription anti-inflammatory and pain relievers, and antibiotics if necessary.Also, see an otolaryngologist promptly.
Depending on the institution selected, determine operating costs.For many patients, services at private medical institutions appear to be the most accessible.Therefore, prices vary depending on the clinic’s price list and the type of surgery.Additionally, the medical care provided may cost more if classic surgery is performed and the patient remains in the clinic during recovery.