| ENT MATTERS |
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Septoplasty
What is it?
It is an operation done under general anaesthetic
(usually) for correction of a deviated (bent) cartilage
that divides the nose into two nostrils. The aim is to
remove the bent cartilage and put / stitch (suture)
everything in the mid-line, so that the airway improves
(opens).
How is it done?
Septoplasty is done with a cut (incision) in the inside
of the nose. There are no cuts on the outside of the
nose and the nose-shape will not change.
There is no need, routinely, to pack the nose
afterwards. However, if there is excess bleeding, the
nose will be packed with soft sponges at the end of
the operation to stop the bleeding. The sponges come
out the same day or the next day (you will experience
some minor bleeding).
Your nose will be blocked for a few days after the
operation because of the blood clots and mucus within
the nose. The sutures in the nose dissolve (this can
take up to 45 days) and need not to be removed.
Is it painful?
Not during the operation and not seriously afterwards.
You will be given pain-killers and nasal decongestants.
You might feel numb over the upper lip and/or upper
front teeth (only if bone has been removed; that
numbness might last for a few weeks).
What do I do afterwards?
You can have your operation as a day procedure
(home the same day) or stay overnight.
You will be provided with antibiotics and analgesia
(pain-killers) for one week and you will need to wash
your nose (nasal douching) for at least 2-3 weeks
after the operation.
You need to refrain from work for two weeks or avoid
physical exercise for one week and return to office
work on the second week.
If you are a smoker, avoid smoking for 10 days after
the operation, to avoid infection.
Avoid hot baths and do not blow your nose - this might
cause bleeding.
Try to clean the nose with water that has been boiled
and cooled, then put the nose-drops in.
Stay at home (off work) for one week.
What are the potential complications?
The commonest are:
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Septal perforation and
• Adhesions (webs from one side of the nostril to
the other side)
The adhesions can be prevented by suturing of a
silastic film on the septal cartilage lining at the end of
the procedure. This will stop the webs from forming
and is usually removed one week after surgery.
What is it?
It is an operation done under general anaesthetic
(usually) for correction of a deviated (bent) cartilage
that divides the nose into two nostrils. The aim is to
remove the bent cartilage and put / stitch (suture)
everything in the mid-line, so that the airway improves
(opens).
How is it done?
Septoplasty is done with a cut (incision) in the inside
of the nose. There are no cuts on the outside of the
nose and the nose-shape will not change.
There is no need, routinely, to pack the nose
afterwards. However, if there is excess bleeding, the
nose will be packed with soft sponges at the end of
the operation to stop the bleeding. The sponges come
out the same day or the next day (you will experience
some minor bleeding).
Your nose will be blocked for a few days after the
operation because of the blood clots and mucus within
the nose. The sutures in the nose dissolve (this can
take up to 45 days) and need not to be removed.
Is it painful?
Not during the operation and not seriously afterwards.
You will be given pain-killers and nasal decongestants.
You might feel numb over the upper lip and/or upper
front teeth (only if bone has been removed; that
numbness might last for a few weeks).
What do I do afterwards?
You can have your operation as a day procedure
(home the same day) or stay overnight.
You will be provided with antibiotics and analgesia
(pain-killers) for one week and you will need to wash
your nose (nasal douching) for at least 2-3 weeks
after the operation.
You need to refrain from work for two weeks or avoid
physical exercise for one week and return to office
work on the second week.
If you are a smoker, avoid smoking for 10 days after
the operation, to avoid infection.
Avoid hot baths and do not blow your nose - this might
cause bleeding.
Try to clean the nose with water that has been boiled
and cooled, then put the nose-drops in.
Stay at home (off work) for one week.
What are the potential complications?
The commonest are:
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Septal perforation and
• Adhesions (webs from one side of the nostril to
the other side)
The adhesions can be prevented by suturing of a
silastic film on the septal cartilage lining at the end of
the procedure. This will stop the webs from forming
and is usually removed one week after surgery.
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