Deviated Nasal Septum & Septoplasty
I make the changes.
You feel the difference.
Deviated Nasal Septum
The septum is the midline structure that separates the nose into right and left sides. A deviated septum means that the septum is crooked and is obstructing either the right, the left, or sometimes both sides of the nasal cavity.
A deviated nasal septum can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is developmental, while other times it is from a traumatic event.
Many people have a deviated nasal septum. For lots of people, a deviated septum causes no problems. However, for some people, a deviated septum can be the cause of nasal obstruction that isn’t relieved with nasal sprays or allergy treatment. In these cases, a septoplasty and turbinate reduction can be a useful procedure to relieve nasal obstruction.
Septoplasty
A septoplasty is an outpatient procedure designed to straighten the crooked portions of the nasal septum. The goal of the procedure is to enlarge the nasal airway, so that more air is able to pass through the nose easily. That makes it easier for you to breathe through your nose.
Septoplasty is often combined with an inferior turbinate reduction. The inferior turbinates are little bones that stick out into your nasal cavity and take up space. Shrinking them in size can help enlarge the nasal airways. The end result - improved breathing through your nose!
I typically perform each septoplasty under endoscopic guidance (I use a small camera inside your nose that shows me a magnified view of your septum while I perform the procedure). This is a newer technique that many providers don’t use. I find that the endoscope improves visualization tremendously. The zoomed in view allows me to avoid making mistakes that probably wouldn’t even be seen without the endoscope.
Additionally, most surgeons place nasal splints in your nose after septoplasty. I find that using the endoscope allows me to perform the procedure in more delicate fashion which avoids unnecessary trauma in your nose. Consequently, in most cases - I can avoid placing any packing or splints in your nose after the procedure.
The endoscope makes all the difference.
Endoscopic Septoplasty
A deviated nasal septum is corrected in order to improve nasal breathing.
Problems After a Previous Septoplasty
If you’ve had a septoplasty in the past and didn’t improve, you should be evaluated further. It’s possible that there is another problem altogether that is actually causing your nasal obstruction. It’s also possible that certain critical areas need to be re-addressed. A comprehensive evaluation can help identify what the problem is and how to correct it.
If you’ve had a septoplasty and developed a septal perforation or a nasal synechiae after the procedure, I can help. We can start by trying to improve your symptoms. For a nasal synechiae, many can be removed in the clinic, but some may require surgery. A septal perforation that was previously created can be repaired with a simple outpatient procedure in certain cases.
Lysis of Nasal Synechiae
A nasal synechiae that developed after a previous surgical procedure with another surgeon is lysed, and a stent is place to hold the tissue apart as it heals.
Septal Perforation Repair
A septal perforation that resulted from a septoplasty with another surgeon is repaired using a sinonasal graft.
