Septoplasty FAQs

Following are the common questions about Septoplasty:

1. What is septoplasty?
2. What happens during septoplasty?
3. What is a deviated nasal septum?
4. What causes deviation in the nasal septum?
5. When should I consult the doctor for septoplasty?
6. What is the cost of septoplasty?
7. What factors affect the cost of septoplasty?
8. How long does septoplasty take?
9. Does septoplasty change the shape of the nose?
10. What are the diagnostic tests to determine the deviation in the nasal septum?
11. What is the difference between septoplasty and rhinoplasty?
12. What are the complications of prolonged deviation in the nasal septum?
13. How severe can the deviated nasal septum become?
14. Are there any non-surgical methods to manage the symptoms of a deviated nasal septum?
15. What are the recovery tips after the septoplasty?
16. Does septoplasty cure loud snores?

Q. What is septoplasty?

A. Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct the deviation in the nasal septum for improved breathing by allowing better airflow through the nose.

Q. What happens during septoplasty?

A. Septoplasty is considered one of the most effective methods to treat deviated nasal septum. It involves minimal incisions to access the septum and alter the bone and cartilage to correct the deviation. After the correction, the incisions are closed with the help of absorbable stitches and nasal packing.

Q. What is a deviated nasal septum?

A. The nasal septum is soft cartilage present in the middle of the nose that divides the left and right nostrils. A deviated nasal septum refers to the inclination of the cartilage or bone on either side of the nostrils that causes difficulty in breathing along with other health conditions.

Q. What causes deviation in the nasal septum?

A. A deviated nasal septum can be congenital or accidental, meaning it can be present during birth or result from past trauma. Other causes of deviated nasal septum include aging and nasal congestion. Some of the risk factors that can contribute to a deviated nasal septum include -

• Driving a motorcycle without the helmet
• Engaging in contact sports such as football, basketball, wrestling, boxing, etc.

Q. When should I consult the doctor for septoplasty?

A. You may have to undergo septoplasty if the deviation in the nasal septum causes the following symptoms -

• Loud snoring
• Breathing issues such as breathing from the mouth or difficulty in breathing
• Disturbed sleep or sleep apnea
• Chronic nosebleeds
• Recurrent sinus infection
• Nasal congestion
• Nasal inflammation
• Nasal discharge

Q. What is the cost of septoplasty?

A. The cost of septoplasty usually starts from Rs. 40,000 depending on several factors such as the complexity of the inclination, location, and surgical expertise of the surgeon.

Q. What factors affect the cost of septoplasty?

A. Factors that affect the cost of septoplasty -

• Selection of the hospital
• The expertise of the ENT surgeon
• The consultation fee of the surgeon
• Cost of anesthesiologist
• Medication cost
• Insurance coverage

Q. How long does septoplasty take?

A. Septoplasty can take anywhere between 40 minutes to 1 hour depending on the complexity of the deviation, medical expertise of the surgeon, and medical condition of the patient. The surgeon may also perform rhinoplasty, which is a cosmetic procedure to adjust the appearance of the nose.

Q. Does septoplasty change the shape of the nose?

A. Septoplasty is not a cosmetic procedure and is done for medical reasons to correct the deviation in the nasal septum due to congenital disability or trauma. Doctors perform rhinoplasty to change the appearance of the nose.

Q. What are the diagnostic tests to determine the deviation in the nasal septum?

A. The doctor may recommend several diagnostic tests to determine the cause of nasal congestion as a result of the deviation in the septum. Therefore, you may have to undergo several diagnostic tests such as -

• Physical examination - The doctor uses a speculum to widen the nostrils and check for the complexity of the nasal deviation. A bright light is used to see inside the nostrils to check for unevenness of the septum.
• Endoscopy - A thin, flexible tube is attached to an endoscope and camera with a bright source of light. This tube is inserted in one of the nostrils to check the nasal deviation.
• Imaging tests - The doctor may recommend x-rays to generate a picture of the nasal septum and identify the complexity of the deviation.

Q. What is the difference between septoplasty and rhinoplasty?

A. Septoplasty is a medical procedure that is done to correct the inclination in the nasal septum to improve the breathing quality and the normal functioning of the nose. Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that is done to change the shape of the nose according to the patient’s needs.

Q. What are the complications of prolonged deviation in the nasal septum?

A. The nasal septum can cause several complications due to obstruction in the nasal septum left untreated. Possible complications of untreated deviated nasal septum include -

• Inflammation on the tissue lining of the inner side of the nose.
• Dryness in the mouth due to increased breathing from the mouth.
• Difficulty in breathing due to uneven airflow.
• Frequent sinus infections.
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Loud snoring
• Sleep apnea

Q. How severe can the deviated nasal septum become?

A. The severity of deviated septum is divided into two categories -

• Slight nasal septum deviation - The inclination of the nasal septum does not significantly bother the normal functioning of the nose. However, there may be the possibility of slight congestion or infection.
• Complex nasal septum deviation - The deviation causes severe health concerns such as nosebleeds, infections, and congestion on a frequent basis.

Q. Are there any non-surgical methods to manage the symptoms of a deviated nasal septum?

A. Non-surgical treatments are mostly recommended to manage the symptoms of a deviated nasal septum.

• Antihistamines- Prevents symptoms of allergy and inflammation insides the nostrils. Antihistamines help in case of runny nose, sneezing, or itching in the nose.
• Decongestants- This medicine helps in minimizing the swelling caused due to obstruction in the nasal septum. Decongestants can improve the nasal airflow, but overuse can make the condition worse.
• Nasal steroid sprays- Nasal steroid sprays manage inflammation on the tissue lining inside the nostrils due to dryness. Consult the doctor before using nasal steroid sprays.

Q. What are the recovery tips after the septoplasty?

A. Septoplasty may take anywhere between 2-3 weeks, depending on the medical condition of the patient and how strictly they follow the post-operative tips. Complete recovery may take around 3-4 months. Here are a few tips that can help you recover quickly and minimize the discomfort -

• Avoid sneezing with your mouth closed.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Use extra pillows to elevate your head while sleeping.
• Avoid eating solid food for at least a week after the surgery.
• Avoid blowing the nose as it can put excessive pressure on the nose.
• Consume fiber-rich food along with a protein-rich diet to avoid constipation.
• Regularly clean the surgical site without putting any pressure on the surgical site.

Q. Does septoplasty cure loud snores?

A. People who suffer from loud snoring highly benefit from septoplasty. Loud snoring can be a result of inclination in the deviated septum. Septoplasty corrects any obstruction due to disfigured septum, which can cause loud snoring.