What is a deviated nasal septum and septoplasty?
The nasal septum is a thin wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nasal cavity into a left and a right side. When it is crooked — deviated — one or both nasal passages narrow, so breathing through the nose becomes difficult, often more pronounced on one side.
A deviation can be congenital or arise after a nasal injury, and it is very common. Mild deviations usually cause no trouble, but a more pronounced deviation leads to congestion, difficulty breathing, snoring, frequent sinus infections and a feeling that the nose is never fully clear.
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure in which the crooked septum is straightened and returned to the midline, freeing airflow. Unlike rhinoplasty, septoplasty does not change the external appearance of the nose but improves its function — breathing.
When the shape of the nose is affected along with breathing, septoplasty can be combined with an aesthetic correction (septorhinoplasty), so that both function and appearance are addressed in the same procedure. At Medical Time, the cause of the complaints is precisely assessed before surgery, so that the plan is targeted and effective.
Who is deviated septum surgery for — indications
Septoplasty is recommended when a crooked septum causes complaints that persist and do not resolve with medication. The goal is to resolve the breathing difficulty permanently, not just to relieve it temporarily.
The procedure is considered in the following situations:
- persistent difficulty breathing through the nose, often more pronounced on one side
- constant or frequent nasal congestion that does not resolve with sprays and medication
- snoring and broken, poor-quality sleep due to difficulty breathing
- recurrent sinus infections and a feeling of pressure in the face
- dryness, crust formation and occasional nosebleeds
- difficulty breathing after an earlier nasal injury
- difficulty breathing accompanied by an aesthetic concern (with septorhinoplasty)
How deviated septum surgery is performed — technique
Septoplasty is performed through the inside of the nose, without external incisions, so no visible scar remains on the face. The surgeon accesses the nasal septum through a small incision on the mucosa inside the nostril, carefully separates the mucosa from the cartilage and bone and straightens or partially removes the crooked parts.
The goal is for the septum to be straightened and set in the midline, so that both nasal passages are clear. If the turbinates are also enlarged, they can be reduced in the same procedure, further freeing airflow.
After straightening, the mucosa is returned to place and fixed if needed, and soft silicone supports (splints) or packing are sometimes placed in the nose to support the septum and stop bleeding in the first days. The external shape of the nose is not changed in classic septoplasty.
If an aesthetic correction is done at the same time (septorhinoplasty), the outside of the nose is shaped as well. At Medical Time the approach is chosen according to the cause of the complaints, and the patient is clearly told what is being addressed and what result to expect.
Preparing for deviated septum surgery
Preparation begins with an examination of the nose from the inside and an assessment of breathing, by which the surgeon determines the cause and degree of the breathing difficulty. The procedure plan is agreed on that basis. Because the surgery is most often performed under general anaesthesia, standard pre-operative preparation is also needed.
The following is usually requested before surgery, with the exact scope tailored to your condition:
Honest disclosure of health details and habits is important for safety and for a good course of recovery.
- laboratory blood tests, including clotting parameters
- an ECG and, if needed, an examination by an internist or anaesthesiologist
- assessment of breathing and the condition of the nasal septum and turbinates
- a list of medications you take, especially blood thinners
- stopping smoking before and after surgery, as it slows healing of the mucosa
- information about chronic conditions, allergies and previous nasal injuries
- arranged escort on the day of surgery and rest at home during the first days
The procedure, anaesthesia and duration
Deviated septum surgery is most often performed under general anaesthesia, so the patient is asleep and feels nothing during the procedure. In simpler cases, local anaesthesia with sedation is sometimes possible, at the team's discretion.
After induction of anaesthesia the surgeon accesses the septum through the inside of the nose, straightens the crooked parts and, if needed, reduces enlarged turbinates. The incision on the mucosa is sutured, and supports or packing are placed in the nose if needed. In classic septoplasty the outside of the nose is not changed.
The procedure usually takes from about half an hour to an hour, depending on complexity and on whether the turbinates are reduced. After surgery the patient wakes in the recovery room, with monitoring of vital functions.
Throughout the operation the anaesthesiologist monitors pulse, breathing, blood pressure and oxygen saturation. The hospital stay is most often one day, and the return home is with an escort and clear instructions for nasal care in the first days.
Recovery after deviated septum surgery — realistic, phase by phase
Recovery is gradual. In the first days the nose is blocked because of swelling and any supports or packing, so breathing is temporarily through the mouth; this is expected and does not mean the surgery was unsuccessful. Pain is most often moderate, and there is also a feeling of pressure, mild discharge and crust formation.
Supports or packing are removed in the first days, after which breathing gradually becomes easier, although the nose is still partly blocked for some time because of swelling and crusts. Regular rinsing with saline and moisturising the mucosa speed recovery and reduce crust formation.
The full benefit of the procedure — free breathing through the nose — is most often felt after several weeks, once the swelling has fully subsided and the mucosa has healed. In the first weeks, exertion, bending over, forceful nose-blowing and sport are avoided, as recommended by the surgeon.
Because there are no external incisions, no scar remains on the face. At Medical Time, follow-up appointments monitor healing of the mucosa and provide clear recommendations for nasal care during the recovery period.
- first days: a blocked nose, breathing through the mouth and a feeling of pressure
- removal of the supports or packing in the first days
- regular rinsing with saline and moisturising of the mucosa
- avoiding exertion, bending over and sport in the first weeks
- free breathing is most often felt after several weeks
Risks and possible side effects
Septoplasty is a routine and safe procedure with very good results, but like any operation it carries certain risks that one should know about before deciding. Most patients recover without complications and with clearly improved breathing.
Possible side effects and risks include:
Following the instructions for nasal care, stopping smoking and attending regular check-ups reduce the risks and contribute to a good result. Everything is discussed openly before the procedure.
- swelling and a blocked nose in the first days and temporary crust formation
- nosebleeds or infection, which occur rarely
- dryness of the mucosa that subsides during recovery
- partial return of complaints in pronounced or complex deviations
- very rarely, formation of a hole in the septum (septal perforation)
- the possibility that an additional correction is needed for a full result
- general risks associated with anaesthesia, which are assessed before the procedure
Why have your deviated septum surgery at Medical Time
Difficulty breathing through the nose affects sleep, energy and the quality of everyday life. At the Medical Time hospital in Belgrade, deviated septum surgery is performed by an experienced team, with a careful assessment of the cause of the complaints and a plan aimed at a lasting solution, not temporary relief.
From the examination and assessment of breathing, through the procedure, to post-operative check-ups, everything is available in one place, with clear information and realistic expectations. When needed, the function and appearance of the nose can be addressed in the same procedure.
- an experienced team and a careful assessment of the cause of the breathing difficulty
- a procedure without external incisions and without a scar on the face
- the possibility of reducing the turbinates at the same time
- the possibility of combining with an aesthetic correction when needed
- modern equipment and constant supervision by the anaesthesiologist
- follow-up appointments and support throughout recovery
Cost
The cost of deviated septum surgery depends on the complexity of the procedure and on whether the turbinates are reduced or an aesthetic correction is done at the same time, so it is set after a consultation; see the plastic surgery services in the price list.
- Septoplasty (nasal septum correction)
- Septoplasty with turbinate reduction
- Septorhinoplasty (breathing and nose shape)
For an assessment and an appointment, call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about deviated septum surgery
Septoplasty improves function — it straightens a crooked nasal septum and frees breathing, without changing the external appearance of the nose. Rhinoplasty changes the shape of the nose. When both breathing and appearance are affected, both can be addressed in the same procedure (septorhinoplasty).
Classic septoplasty does not change the external appearance of the nose because it is performed through the inside, without external incisions. The appearance changes only if an aesthetic correction is done at the same time, by agreement.
The procedure is performed under anaesthesia, so you feel nothing during the operation. Afterwards there is a feeling of pressure and a blocked nose, and pain is most often moderate and well controlled with prescribed medication.
In the first days the nose is blocked because of swelling and any supports or packing, so breathing is temporarily through the mouth. This is expected. Breathing becomes easier once the supports are removed and the swelling subsides, over the following weeks.
The full benefit, that is free breathing through the nose, is most often felt after several weeks, once the swelling has fully subsided and the mucosa has healed. Regular rinsing with saline speeds recovery.
No. Septoplasty is performed through the inside of the nose, without external incisions, so no visible scar remains on the face.
In pronounced or complex deviations a partial return of complaints or a need for additional correction is possible, but in most patients the result is lasting. This is discussed before the procedure, according to the findings.
The price depends on the complexity of the procedure and on whether the turbinates are reduced or an aesthetic correction is done, so it is set after a consultation and examination. For an assessment and an appointment, call 062-399-888.