Septoplasty

Nasal Septum is the plate of cartilage and bone covering the mucous membrane that divides the nose into two nostrils. Deviated septum refers to malformation or injury of the nasal septum which results in one nasal cavity being smaller than the other. Some people have this from birth but it may also be caused by an injury. It is fairly common and does not cause complications in most cases but in severe cases, it may cause difficulty in breathing, facial pain as well as frequent nosebleeds. The only way to correct deviated septum is surgery.

The physical procedure performed to fix the deviation of septum is known as Septoplasty. It is also known as deviated septum surgery. During deviated septum surgery in Ogden, the nasal septum is straightened so that it allows for better air flow through the nose.

Preparation

As part of the preparation for the deviated septum surgery in Ogden, you may be asked by your doctor to stop taking certain kinds of medications at least two weeks before the surgery. Usually these medications include ibuprofen, aspirin and other kinds of blood thinners. This is done to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding during the surgical septoplasty procedure in Ogden. Do not forget to tell your doctor about any medications you are allergic to.

Your doctor will also ask questions about your medical history. Someone from the doctor’s office may also take photographs of your nose from various angles to be used for discussion as well as for reference before and after the septoplasty procedure in Ogden.

Procedure

This deviated septum surgery in Ogden is performed under local or general anesthesia depending on complexity of the surgery as well as your and your surgeon’s preferences. Local anesthesia is limited to your nose. A pain numbing medication is injected into the nasal tissues by the doctor. Most surgical procedures are performed under general anesthesia where you go into a temporary state of unconsciousness and do not remain conscious during the surgical procedure.

Typically, an incision will be made on the side of your nose by the doctor for accessing the septum. The doctor will then lift up the mucous membrane and the deviated septum is moved into the right position. The doctor will get rid of any extra pieces of cartilage or bone. Stitches may be needed for holding the membrane and septum in place but sometimes, cotton is used for filling the nose and it’s enough to keep the septum and membrane in position.

After the septoplasty in Ogden, you will be moved to the recovery room and monitored to make sure that there are no complications.

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and takes anywhere from 30 to 90 min depending on the complexity of the surgery. In simple terms, it means that you are allowed to go home on the same day after the surgery is done.

Risks

Some people require a second surgery in case they are not satisfied with the results of the first surgery. Some of the potential risks of Septoplasty in Ogden include bleeding, change in the shape of nose, decreased sense of smell, discoloration of the nose, scarring and perforation of the septum. Infection and excessive bleeding may happen after a surgery and therefore; it is recommended to wash your hands and keep your nose clean to reduce these risks.

Recovery

Unless there are major complications, this deviated septum surgery in Ogden is performed on an outpatient basis. Once the anesthesia has worn off, the patient is allowed to go home on the same day as the procedure. After the procedure, your nose will be painful, swollen and packed with cotton. You may be advised to remove the cotton packing a day or two after the surgery.

Pain medication as needed may also be prescribed by your doctor. You will also be asked to avoid certain drugs including aspirin, ibuprofen and other blood thinning drugs to reduce the risk of bleeding issues after the surgical procedure.

It is also recommended to limit physical activity for several weeks after Septoplasty to promote healing and minimize swelling. You should avoid intense exercise such as playing contact sports, lifting weights and running among other things as these activities may raise your blood pressure and cause excessive bleeding.

For quick recovery, you should elevate your head at night and refrain from blowing your nose for 3 to 4 days after the surgery. While the wound  heals fairly quickly, the overall healing process can take up to a year. Breathing is likely to improve within a few days after the procedure.

Most people do not experience any symptoms after the surgery but the nasal tissues and cartilage continue shifting over time and in some cases may block airflow again.  In such cases, a second surgery may be needed for further reshaping of the nose and septum.