Deviated septum surgery or Septoplasty, is often done to alleviate difficulty in breathing or for aesthetic purposes. The septum is the bone that made up the wall that divides the two nostrils. Deviation may arise due to accident, hard picking of the nose, or physical impact that accumulate throughout the years. A lot of drug addict also suffers from deviation due to insertion of hard objects on the nose. It may also be present at birth (congenital).
A standard deviation may not present any problem but if it is significantly bent to the left or right then the cartilage might block the passage of air resulting in difficulty in breathing. If medications like decongestants, antihistamines and nasal cortisone sprays does not work, then deviated septum surgery is required.
The following symptoms will tell whether a patient needs deviated septum surgery or not.
- Nasal congestion which causes postnasal drips, the mucus is trapped on the blockage and eventually flow back at the back of the throat
- Difficulty in breathing, particularly during allergy attack, cold, or any respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.
- Sinusitis is persistent, accompanied by chronic headaches and facial pains
- Sleep disorders like snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, etc.
- Recurrent Nose bleeding, or runny nose.
On operation day, the doctor will perform endoscopy to preview the septum looking for any infections that might cause the operation to be delayed. If all is well and clear then the surgery will commence with the administration of anesthesia. The doctors will then slice through the mucous membrane, and other pieces that hold the septum. When the septum is movable, the doctor will attempt to relocate the septum or trim the bone. After which the mucous are stitched back over the septum in its new location. Operation normally lasts 1 – 2 hours and the patient can go home in 3-4 hours.
If any of the conditions occur, call emergency and apply first aid when possible.
- High fever and chills.
- Abnormal swelling and very painful, excessive heavy bleeding. Have the patient lie down. If you need to transfer the patient to a hospital, put him in a support. Preferably, those back stretchers with head support.
- Patient complains of discomfort at the throat, this is due to the splinters that fell back into the throat.
- Feeling of nauseate and uncontrollable vomiting.
- Chest pain, chronic headache that seems to go worse.
- Coughing, shortness of breath and other respiratory implications.
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