- I have pain in my nose
- I have nosebleeds
- I have breathing problems
A surgical Septoplasty is a common surgical procedure undertaken on the nose in order to repair a deviated nasal septum. This can cause a number of unwanted issues, including breathing problems, sporadic nosebleeds and in some cases, pain.
A surgical Septoplasty is a common surgical procedure undertaken on the nose in order to repair a deviated nasal septum. A deviated septum happens when the cartilage which separates the nostrils moves. This can cause a number of unwanted issues, including breathing problems, sporadic nosebleeds and in some cases, pain.
A surgical septoplasty is undertaken to put the septum back in place in order to improve the airflow through the nostrils. A septoplasty is usually an outpatient procedure and undertaken either under local anaesthetic, or if required, general anaesthetic.
The procedure can take anywhere from 30 to complete, right up to around an hour and a half – depending on the difficulty and severity of the condition. The surgeon will discuss with you whether a general or local anaesthetic would suit your needs the most, so you’ll know what to expect before you go in.
Usually, the surgeon will make a small incision on one side of your nose so as to gain access the septum. They will then lift mucous membrane, the covering that protects the septum, before moving the septum into the correct position. If the surgeon notices any additional pieces of bone or cartilage they will be removed at the same time. The mucous membrane will then be put back into place, before the surgeon either holds in in place with a small number of stitches, or with simple cotton wool packing
As a general rule, the wound should heal relatively quickly, with breathing likely to improve soon after the surgery. Cartilage and nasal tissues can, however, take up to a year to fully settle into their new shape, so the healing process can be quite slow.
Most patients do not experience any ongoing symptoms after the surgery, but on rare occasions, the cartilage and nasal tissues do continue to move back over time and can block the airflow through the nose again, resulting in the need for a second surgery.
A septoplasty is more often than not performed as an outpatient procedure – unless unforeseen complications arise. Therefore patient can usually go home the same day. It’s important to remember that your nose will be very swollen and painful so it’s best to avoid any instances where it may get knocked. The cotton wool packing can usually be removed a day or two after the surgery, but your doctor will prescribe pain relief as needed.
A septoplasty undertaken privately costs around £1,600
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