Septoplasty (SMR)

Septoplasty (SMR)

What is septoplasty?

The septum is the structure that is located inside the nose and divides it into two parts in the midline. The deviation of this structure as a result of congenital or over time traumas is called septum deviation, and the operation performed to correct this is called septoplasty.

In which diseases is septoplasty applied?

In cases where the septum curvature is accompanied by symptoms such as nasal congestion, difficulty in breathing through the nose, snoring, frequent sinusitis infections, persistent post-nasal drip or chronic headache, septoplasty surgery is performed.

How is septoplasty done?

Septoplasty surgery can be performed under local anesthesia as well as general anesthesia. With a simple incision made through the nose, the septum under the structures called the mucous membrane covering the nose is reached, the determined curvatures are corrected, and the existing bone protrusions are filed or removed if necessary. Since no intervention will be made on the outer roof of the nose, there will be no swelling or bruising in this area.

What is the advantage of the septoplasty procedure?

After the septoplasty surgery, the patient's breathing will be relieved and due to nasal congestion;

-Snore,

-frequent sinusitis infections,

-Continuous nasal discharge

It also relieves symptoms such as chronic headaches.

Frequently asked questions about septoplasty

Who is the septoplasty operation for?

Septoplasty operation can be performed on anyone who has problems such as difficulty breathing due to septum deviation. However, it is necessary to be 18 years or older when bone and facial development is completed.

What is a septum?

The septum is an anatomical structure that separates the nose from the midline in the inner part of the nose. The septum is partially bony and mostly cartilaginous.

What is endoscopic septoplasty?

It is the process of taking the protrusions, especially in the posterior parts of the septum and covering the sinus openings, under endoscopic view. Endoscopic surgery provides convenience and good vision. In addition, an advantage of this procedure is that there is no need for even a silicone pad after the operation.

What is revision septoplasty?

It is a surgical procedure performed to correct complications after the first surgery in people who have had septoplasty surgery before, or to remove the cartilage structures that did not improve sufficiently in the first surgery and remained crooked.

What is open septoplasty?

In such cases where the cartilage and bone curvature extends just under the roof of the nose or towards the tip of the septum and cannot be corrected with the classical surgical method, it is used with the surgical method called open technique septoplasty. In this technique, an incision is made from the outside of the nose and the operation is started. After the curved parts are straightened, the cuts are sewn in the same way.

How long does septoplasty surgery take?

This operation can take approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. The surgery can be performed with local anesthesia or general anesthesia.

Can swelling and bruising be seen on the face after septoplasty surgery?

Septoplasty surgery is the process of removing the mucosa covering the nose with an incision made through the nose and correcting the curvature of the septum under it. Since no intervention will be made on the outer roof of the nose, there will be no swelling or bruising complaints about this area.

Is it possible to breathe through the nose after septoplasty surgery?

After the septoplasty surgery, since silicone pads with a hole in the middle are placed in the nose, the patients can breathe through the nose very easily after the surgery.

When are silicone tampons removed after septoplasty?

Silicone tampons can be removed one or two days after the operation. In cases where intraoperative bleeding controls and turbinate surgery are performed with laser, bleeding controls are well provided. In operations performed with laser, silicone pads are usually removed one day after the operation.

Is there a risk of early removal of silicone tampons in the nose?

In cases where bleeding control is not provided well during the surgery, early removal of silicone tampons may increase the risk of blood pooling in the nose, that is, hematoma, and intranasal bleeding may occur following the removal of the tampons.

Is nasal bandage or splint used after septoplasty surgery?

Since septoplasty surgery is the removal of the curved parts of the cartilage called the septum in the nose and the roof of the nose is not touched, there is no need for any plaster or splint after the surgery.

What are the risks of septoplasty surgery?

In septoplasty surgery that is not performed with the appropriate technique, collapses on the tip of the nose or the dorsal part of the nose, blood accumulations called hematoma in the nose and the development of infection may result in nosebleeds. However, these risks are very rare with proper technique and bleeding control.

What is the difference between rhinoplasty and septoplasty?

Septoplasty is a nose surgery performed to correct bone and cartilage tissues. In septoplasty, there is no change in the outer part of the nose. In rhinoplasty, it is an aesthetic surgery in which the deformities of the nose are corrected.

What is the success rate in septoplasty surgery?

The results of septoplasty, which is performed in the hands of experienced people and the preparation of the operation plan before the operation, the use of appropriate technique, are quite satisfactory and the success rate is very high.

Why is a tampon placed after septoplasty?

The task of the nasal tampon; To ensure early attachment and adhesion of the nasal skin to the nasal skeleton structures, to prevent the displacement of bone and cartilage structures that have become mobile during the nose surgery, to support the septum and bone structures, to prevent the intranasal skin, called mucosa, from swelling and sticking to each other, to prevent intranasal bleeding. to help stop it and to absorb the leaks leaking into the nose after nose surgery.

Does septoplasty change the shape of the nose?

Septoplasty surgery is not a surgical procedure to change the shape of the nose, but is a functional procedure that provides correction of cartilage or small bone structures that cause obstructions in the nose.

Is septoplasty aesthetic?

Septoplasty is a functional surgery to relieve nasal congestion, not an aesthetic procedure to change the shape and shape of the nose.

What is the recovery period after septoplasty?

Although the recovery period shows individual differences, the average recovery time varies between 1 and 2 weeks. Often, patients can return to their normal lives after the second day of surgery. After the operation, it is necessary not to enter the sea and the pool for at least 3 weeks.

What should be considered before the operation?

In surgeries to be performed under general anesthesia, food and water intake should be stopped at least 6 hours before the surgery. If there is any medication that is used continuously (such as blood thinners, blood pressure and diabetes medications), the doctor should be informed. Any food supplements, vitamins and even herbal teas should be discontinued one week before the surgery.

What should be considered after septoplasty?

If there is a tampon in the nose after the surgery, it may be necessary to breathe through the mouth for a while. For this, it is recommended to be fed with warm and liquid foods on the first day. However, there is no food restriction in the following period.

- Medications recommended by the doctor should be used regularly.

- Since there may be crusting in the nose due to the operation, nasal cleansing sprays given for this purpose should be used.

- The crusts in the nose should not be removed.

Intense and heavy exercises should be avoided for the first 4 weeks.

When can I return to normal life after surgery?

Recovery time may vary from person to person. Average recovery time is between 1 and 2 weeks. However, patients can often return to normal life after the second day of surgery.