A deviated septum can be the reason for breathing issues and a lot of other problems. In most cases, doctors will recommend patients to undergo surgery to repair the deviation.
So what is a septum? It’s the thin wall of cartilage and bone that separates the nasal passages. If you have a deviated septum, it makes one passage smaller than the other and can cause problems like facial pain, nose bleeds, nasal obstruction, etc. Not only does it cause internal problems, but it affects your facial structure as well.
The surgical method involves some steps to be taken before you go through with the surgery.
- When is surgery recommended?
Your doctor might prescribe certain medications such as decongestants, antihistamines and nasal sprays which might give you a little relief, but these are not permanent solutions. This is when the doctor might suggest surgery. The surgical procedure is called septoplasty.
- The surgical procedure:
Your surgeon will give you either a local or general anaesthetic. Because the incision is limited to the inside of the nose, there are no bruises or cuts on the outside. The surgeon will trim the cartilage or the bone of the septum and replace it or reposition it depending on what’s needed in your case. The surgeon will then pack it with soft splints to ensure healing. You can return home the very same day as the surgery.
- What is rhinoplasty?
Rhinoplasty is a cosmetic procedure which is designed specifically for improvement of the shape and size of your nose. Although septoplasty can lead to aesthetic benefits, its goal is to repair the function of the septum. Rhinoplasty can come to your aid by giving shape to your septum, but the procedure isn’t intended to straighten a deviated one.
Now that we know what both of these procedures are, we might as well look into the results when they are combined. Say you have a deviated septum and you are unhappy with the way your nose looks. Septoplasty is designed to correct the first issue, while rhinoplasty addresses the second problem. But, by working with an experienced nose surgeon, you might have the option to correct aesthetic issues and breathing problems with surgery that combines septoplasty and rhinoplasty.
If you are unhappy with your appearance and you suffer from breathing problems, you might not require two separate surgeries to fix the issue. Qualified plastic surgeons frequently combine rhinoplasty and septoplasty to address health and cosmetic issues, and you might benefit from a procedure combining these surgeries.