Deviated Septum Surgery
Deviated Septum Surgery in Charleston, South Carolina
What is Septoplasty?
The septum is a wall of cartilage and bone that separates the two nasal passages. Ideally, it sits in the center of the nose and allows air to flow evenly between the nostrils, but some people are born with a crooked septum or develop one due to injury or natural growth. If it’s severe enough, airflow can become completely blocked. In cases like these, septoplasty can restore proper nasal function and improve breathing by straightening the septum.
When is Septoplasty Recommended?
When a deviated septum causes persistent symptoms that interfere with daily life, a nasal specialist may recommend septoplasty to patients. Common signs include chronic nasal congestion, difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils, frequent nosebleeds, snoring, disrupted sleep, or recurring sinus infections. While medications may help relieve some of these symptoms temporarily, they cannot correct the underlying structural problem. When conservative treatments are no longer effective, septum surgery may provide lasting relief by directly addressing the source. For most patients, the results of septoplasty are permanent.
Is it a Septum or Sinus Problem?
While many patients assume their chronic congestion is caused by sinus problems, in reality, a deviated septum may be the main cause of their symptoms. Some of the most common shared symptoms include facial pressure and congestion, aside from difficulty breathing. Although sinus conditions and a deviated septum can produce similar complaints, they are completely different conditions that require different treatments. During an evaluation with the Charleston Sinus Center, your physician will perform a thorough examination and may recommend imaging to determine the exact cause of your symptoms, whether it’s a structural issue, chronic sinus disease, or a combination of both.
What Happens During a Septoplasty
Septoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia. During the surgery, incisions are made within the nostrils using small instruments, meaning there are usually no external incisions or visible scars.
During the consultation, the surgeon decides whether the deviated portions of cartilage and bone should be repositioned, reshaped, or removed, with the ultimate goal of straightening the septum and improving airflow. Once the septum has been corrected, the tissues are repositioned to and allowed to heal. Patients return home the same day with detailed instructions for recovery.
Combining Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction
When medical therapies have failed to improve nasal airflow, a deviated septum can be fixed with a short outpatient surgery. In this surgery, the patient is placed under general anesthesia in the operating room. A small incision is made inside the left nostril, out of sight. Through this incision, all of the cartilage and bone of the septum on both sides can be accessed. The cartilage is straightened, and any bony spurs are removed. The incision is then closed up with absorbable sutures. Soft silicone splints are placed along both sides of the septum to aid healing and prevent blood from collecting in the area that was just repaired. The patient is then take out of anesthesia, given time to wake up, and then goes home the same day.
Regarding pain, most of our patients are pleasantly surprised that the surgery is much less painful than they expected, although every once in a while, someone will have short-lived pain. The most common discomforts during the first week of recovery are bleeding from the nose for 2-4 days, and congestion from swelling and from the splints.
The splints are removed from the nose 1 week after the surgery, and at this point, the patient typically feels the ability to breathe better through their nose than they ever have in the past.
Most patients take 1 week off of work for the surgery, then return to work on light duty restrictions for 1 week. Normal activities, exercise, and travel can be resumed at 2 weeks after surgery. Typically, the only restriction after 2 weeks is not to submerge the nose in water until 6 weeks after surgery (no swimming or diving until 6 weeks after surgery).
Will Septoplasty Change the Shape of My Nose?
One of the biggest, and more reasonable concerns of a septoplasty, is whether or not it will change the shape of the patient’s nose. The main goal is to improve breathing, rather than alter appearance. Because the procedure focuses on the internal structures, it generally does not change the nose’s shape or appearance.
However, if a patient is interested in improving both function and appearance, septoplasty can often be paired with a rhinoplasty. During the initial consultation, your surgeon can discuss whether combining these procedures is appropriate for your goals. At The Charleston Sinus Center, Dr. Joseph Russell is board-certified in both ENT (ear, nose, and throat) surgery and facial plastic surgery, so he can do any combination of functional and cosmetic surgery on the septum and nose, but it is entirely dependent on each patient’s unique case and goals.
Why Choose Us?
- Board-certified ENT & sinus specialists
- State-of-the-art endoscopic technology
- In-office minimally invasive options like Balloon Sinuplasty
- Comprehensive care plans: diagnosis, surgery, and long-term management
- Proven results: 85% success rate with sinus surgery
Septoplasty Recovery
Recovering from a septoplasty is generally straightforward and is only made easier with the surgeon’s post-operative advice. Most patients are able to return to work and daily routines within a week, depending on the nature of their surgery. Mild swelling, congestion, and nasal drainage are to be expected during the first two weeks as the nose heals. As such, patients should avoid strenuous activities like exercise, heavy lifting, and especially blowing their nose. During a follow-up visit, the surgeon will assess the recovery and clear the patient for more intensive activities.
Who is a Candidate for Septum Surgery?
Individuals whose deviated septum is causing ongoing and long-term breathing difficulties or other symptoms will benefit the most from septoplasty. This is especially true if the conditions have not improved with conservative treatments and medications. Good candidates are healthy and have realistic expectations for the procedure, recovery, and results. A comprehensive evaluation by an experienced sinus specialist can determine whether a deviated septum is responsible for your symptoms and whether septoplasty is the most appropriate treatment option for your needs.
Corrective Septum Surgery FAQ
What is septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a corrective surgery for straightening a crooked or deviated septum. This is the wall of cartilage and bone that separates the nostrils. When it obstructs breathing, this procedure is the most direct way of providing relief.
How do I know if I need septoplasty?
If you have ongoing difficulty breathing through your nose, chronic congestion that doesn’t improve with medication, frequent nosebleeds, snoring, or recurring sinus infections, you may have a deviated septum. A consultation with a Charleston Sinus Center ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist can determine whether your symptoms are caused by a structural issue and whether septoplasty is the right treatment for you.
Is septoplasty the same as rhinoplasty?
No, septoplasty is a surgery aimed at improving nasal functionality. A rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that alters the nose’s external appearance. In some cases, the two procedures can be combined to simultaneously improve breathing and aesthetics.
Will septoplasty change the way my nose looks?
In most cases, no. Septoplasty takes place inside of the nose and typically does not affect its external appearance. However, if cosmetic concerns are also present, the procedure can often be performed alongside rhinoplasty to address both function and appearance.
Can septoplasty help me breathe better?
Yes. For patients whose breathing difficulties are caused by a deviated septum, septoplasty can significantly improve airflow through the nasal passages. Many patients quickly notice less congestion, improved sleep, and an overall improvement in their quality of life after they have fully healed.
Is septoplasty performed with turbinate reduction?
It can be. Some patients with a deviated septum may also have enlarged turbinates that are contributing to their nasal concerns. If this is the case, your surgeon may recommend performing a turbinate reduction at the same time as the septoplasty, to maximize your breathing results.
What is recovery like after septoplasty?
Patients return home the same day as surgery and can resume many normal activities within about a week. Mild congestion, swelling, and nasal drainage will likely be present during the first 1-2 weeks. In a follow-up visit, your Charleston Sinus Center specialist will provide detailed aftercare instructions, including when you can return to exercise and other strenuous activities, to help ensure a smooth recovery.
Why Choose The Charleston Sinus Center?
At The Charleston Sinus Center, our team is dedicated to diagnosing and treating the nasal problems of every patient. Our surgeons recognize that everyone is unique, so a cookie-cutter approach doesn’t work. The initial consultation and approach to treatment is highly personalized, with the goal of helping you breathe more comfortably, improving your quality of life, and achieving lasting results. To schedule a consultation and learn more about your possible treatment options, you can fill out our online form or call 843-863-1188.