Deviated septum can be an aesthetic problem, causing only psychological discomfort to the patient. However, often this deformation entails a number of unpleasant consequences: difficult nasal breathing, constant dryness in the nose, snoring, chronic rhinitis, sinusitis and sinusitis, headaches, earaches and nosebleeds. The aesthetic and medical aspect of the problem can be solved by performing a septoplasty of the nose, or correction of the nasal septum.
Nose septoplasty – indications and contraindications for surgery
If a slight degree of deviated septum does not lead to alarming symptoms, septoplasty is not considered mandatory. However, there are a number of problems, including those of an aesthetic nature, in which the patient may need surgery on the nasal septum. Among them:
- injuries: often the deviated septum is the result of mechanical impact, i.e. injury, and is often accompanied by nasal congestion and other problems;
- nasal congestion: if, after carrying out diagnostic measures, no other causes of nasal congestion were found (allergic reactions, diseases, hypertrophy of the turbinates), it would be advisable to consider the curvature of the nasal septum as the cause of difficulty breathing;
- nosebleeds: may be the result of dry mucous membranes and subsequent crusting;
- narrowing of the sinus canals, chronic rhinitis, sinusitis;
- snoring: in some cases septoplasty nose;
- surgical approach: transseptal-transsphenoidal approach is sometimes possible when performing operations on certain areas of the brain, and to obtain such access, a displacement of the nasal septum is necessary;
- aesthetic problems: correction of the shape of the nose in order to improve the appearance of the patient.
Deviated septum is not always noticeable, but it can lead to unpleasant symptoms.
Septoplasty of the nose is usually not performed on patients:
- with a bleeding disorder;
- in the presence of infectious diseases and malignant tumors;
- in acute forms of diseases;
- in the presence of severe pathologies of internal organs.
Septoplasty of the nose, possible complications and recovery
The most complete information about all the features of septoplasty of the nose, as well as pre-treatment and postoperative care, can be obtained directly from the surgeon who will perform the operation.
So, the doctor, based on the specific case, will explain what technique he intends to use to correct the nasal septum; ask about the drugs that the patient took during the month before the operation; may advise you to stop taking certain medications (particularly blood thinners); will tell you in detail about the preparation for septoplasty.
It is important to follow your doctor's recommendations when preparing for septoplasty and during postoperative care.
After the necessary manipulations, the doctor fixes the nasal septum with special plates and plugs the nose. Such measures are required to maintain the nasal septum in the required position and absorb the blood released from the operated area.
The patient is also prescribed antibiotics, painkillers and antipyretics.
The removal of tampons from the nose is carried out 1-2 days after the operation, however, it is not accompanied by an immediate improvement in nasal breathing. This is due to the accumulation of blood clots and mucus in the nasal passages, as well as swelling of the nasal mucosa. Full normalization of breathing should be expected in 4-6 weeks.
In addition, the patient must visit the doctor regularly for postoperative examination and care (removal of residual blood from the nose, treatment of mucous membranes with drugs, etc.).
Possible complications of septoplasty:
- edema;
- perforation of the nasal septum;
- hematomas;
- nosebleed;
- mucosal injury;
- deformity of the nose;
- nasal septal abscess;
- infections.
Of course, serious complications after septoplasty of the nose are extremely rare and depend on the skills of the doctor and compliance with all recommendations by the patient. A competent specialist will definitely explain which consequences of surgery are a normal reaction to septoplasty, and which – serious complications. In addition, during postoperative examinations, the doctor will be able to notice any undesirable processes and eliminate them in a timely manner.
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