The deviation of the nasal septum corresponds to the change in the positioning of the wall that separates the nostrils, the septum, which can occur due to blows to the nose, local inflammation or to be present since birth, which mainly causes difficulty in breathing correctly.
Thus, people who have a deviated nasal septum should consult an otorhinolaryngologist, if it is hindering the respiratory process and the person's quality of life, and the need for surgical correction of the problem is then assessed.
Surgery for deviated septum is known as septoplasty, it is done under local or general anesthesia and lasts about 2 hours.
How is the surgery done
The septoplasty, which is the surgery to correct the deviated septum, is recommended by the ENT when the deviation is very large and compromises the person's breathing. Usually this procedure is done after the end of adolescence, since it is the moment when the bones of the face stop growing.
The surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia and consists of a cut in the nose to detach the skin that covers it, followed by correction of the septum from the removal of excess cartilage or part of the bone structure and the repositioning of the skin. During surgery, the doctor uses a small device with a camera to better analyze the bone structure of the person's nose to make the procedure as less invasive as possible.
The surgery lasts an average of 2 hours and the person may be discharged on the same day, depending on the time of the surgery, or on the following day.
Care after surgery
Recovery from surgery for nasal septum deviation takes about 1 week and during this period it is important to take some precautions, such as avoiding sun exposure, to avoid the appearance of stains, avoid wearing glasses, change the dressing according to the recommendation of nursing staff and make use of antibiotics recommended by the doctor to avoid the occurrence of infections during the healing process.
It is also recommended to go back to the doctor after 7 days for an evaluation of the nose and the healing process.
Symptoms of deviated nasal septum
The main symptom of deviated nasal septum is difficulty breathing through the nose. In addition, other symptoms of deviated septum are:
- Head or face pain; Bleeding from the nose; Stuffy nose; Snoring; Excessive tiredness; Sleep apnea. Know what it is and how to identify sleep apnea.
In congenital cases, deviation of the nasal septum may not cause any symptoms and, generally, does not require treatment.
