When the nasal septum is crooked or deviated, it can cause problems with breathing and other issues. Septoplasty surgery can help straighten the septum, improving your quality of life.
In septoplasty surgery, your surgeon makes an incision within the nose and lifts the mucosa (a thin membrane that covers and protects your septum). Then they straighten and reposition your septum’s bone and cartilage.
What is a septum?
The septum (Latin for something that encloses; plural: septa) is the wall that separates a cavity or structure into smaller ones. It also can be referred to as the heart’s “wall.”
In the heart, the atrial and ventricular septums help regulate blood flow by preventing the heart from pumping back into the heart chambers after it pumps out oxygen-rich blood.
When the septum is shifted to one side, it is called a deviated septum. This is common in most people, and often causes nasal obstruction and breathing problems.
A crooked septum can result from trauma to the nose during growth or during birth. Or it may be the result of genetics.
Getting a septum piercing is relatively easy and typically takes 4 – 8 weeks to heal. However, you’ll want to keep the jewelry out of the hole until it is completely healed so it doesn’t close up.
What is a deviated septum?
A deviated septum is when the wall of cartilage that divides your nose into two separate chambers is shifted away from the middle. This can cause congestion, problems with breathing and nasal discharge.
Healthcare professionals estimate that up to 80% of people have some deviation in their septum. It may be caused by natural growth, injury or by a previous surgery.
If the deviation is severe, it can block a person’s nose, making them prone to sinus infections (sinusitis) and increasing their risk of nosebleeds. It can also make a person’s nose look crooked or uneven.
Minor deviations that aren’t causing troublesome symptoms can usually be managed with medication, such as nasal steroid sprays or decongestants. For others, septoplasty surgery may be needed to correct the deviation.
What is a crooked septum?
A crooked septum is when the bone and cartilage that separates your nasal cavities is off center — usually causing problems breathing through one or both nostrils. This occurs most commonly as a result of birth defects, trauma or prior surgery.
A mild deviation doesn’t cause any symptoms for most people, but a more severe deviation can significantly obstruct airflow through your nose. This can make it difficult to breathe when you’re not sick, and it can even block sinuses from draining.
Your doctor can determine whether you have a crooked septum by doing a physical exam, examining the inside of your nose with an instrument (nasal speculum) and looking deeper into your nose using a long tube-shaped scope (nasal endoscopy). If needed, the doctor may take X-rays to look further into the nasal passages or have you go under a CT scan.
Some doctors also prescribe medicine that can reduce congestion and help improve your ability to breathe through your nose. These medicines include decongestants and antihistamines.
What is a septoplasty?
A septoplasty is a surgical procedure that straightens the nasal septum and improves breathing. This can help people who have a deviated septum and breathing problems like sleep apnea or snoring.
The septum is made up of cartilage and thin bone and helps control airflow. When this cartilage or bone isn’t straight, it becomes crooked, which is what causes a deviated septum.
During septoplasty, your doctor creates an incision on one side of your nose and lifts up your septum’s protective covering (mucous membrane). They can reshape the septum’s bone and cartilage or remove some of it to correct the problem.
After the surgery, your surgeon will reposition your mucous membrane over the reshaped septum. They can also place soft splints inside your nose to reduce bleeding and help the septum heal straighter.
The procedure typically takes 30 to 90 minutes, and you’ll be out of the hospital within a few hours. You’ll need to take care not to exercise too much, as that can increase your risk of bleeding or swelling after the surgery.