Surgery to Repair A Deviated Septum is Suere to Help Patients Breathe Easy
Copyright (c) 2010 Gerry Stringer
Breathing problems, frequent nosebleeds, chronic sinus infections, sleep apnea and even snoring can be caused by any number of conditions, but one of the chief culprits physicians look for in diagnostic testing is a deviated septum.
The nasal septum is the wall dividing the nasal cavity into halves, the nostrils. The front portion is a firm but bendable structure mostly made of cartilage and at its base is the central supporting skeleton covered by mucous membrane on each side. Ideally the septum divides the two nostrils into equal-sized air passages, and most people do not experience problems, however, it is estimated as many as 80% of all people have an off-center septum; a “crooked” or “broken” nose that is visibly misaligned is, in most cases, a cosmetic issue. A deviated septum, on the other hand, is by definition a medical condition that restricts the air passage, usually more severe on one side, that can lead to a host of problems like chronic sinusitis, nosebleeds, restricted air intake, infections, sleep apnea, snoring and more.
The most common cause of a deviated septum is face trauma, or simply a blow to the nose, however some congenital medical or genetic conditions may also be the cause. Most general practitioner physicians are schooled in the diagnoses of a deviated septum, and the usual procedure is to send the patient on to a specialist, typically an otolaryngologist, also called an ear, nose and throat specialist, or sometimes a plastic surgeon.
Deviated septum repair surgery is called a septoplasty, a relatively common procedure which normally takes one to one-and-a-half hours and which can be performed under local or general anesthetic, with the patient returning home the same day. Surgery to correct a deviated septum requires the specialist to work through the nostrils, making an incision in the layer of soft tissue (nasal mucosa) to separate it from the underlying cartilage and bone. The doctor then straightens or trims the bent cartilage and replaces the musoca over the cartilage and bone. Since it is done entirely through the nostrils, there is generally no visible scarring on the patient. Also, except in very severe cases, septoplasty is not performed on young people before they turn 18 because the cartilaginous septum continues to grow until then. Deviated septum repair is covered by most health insurance because it is a genuine medical condition.
Septoplasty has a remarkable track record of restoring nasal health in patients. Athletes suffering from a deviated septum report a higher level of endurance with more air intake after the procedure, and those suffering from infections, nosebleeds, snoring and sleep apnea most often find a great measure of relief.
Once performed, physicians report that it generally takes about 10 days from the time of the surgery for the patient to resume the majority of normal activities. After surgery, the patient’s nostrils are kept open with nasal stents, a dramatic improvement in comfort in comparison to the gauze packing of days past, and these are removed in a few days as swelling abates. For a week to 10 days, patients are advised not to blow their nose, rather simply dabbing at an inconvenient dripping, and nasal sprays are prescribed in order to quickly reduce swelling. After a deviated septum surgery, downtime includes avoiding swimming for several weeks until the healing process is complete and eliminating all athletic activity for the first 10-14 days. Flying is also not recommended for the first 2 weeks post-surgery because the swelling makes it difficult to clear one’s ears.
Since a misaligned septum is fairly common, persons experiencing breathing problems, excessive nosebleeds, frequent sinus infections, sleep apnea or snoring are advised to consult a physician about a possible deviated septum. There are other conditions that can cause these symptoms that require a different therapeutic regimen, but almost all physicians can help in the diagnoses and refer a patient to the appropriate specialist. If it comes to septoplasty, the good news is that it is a very common procedure with a marvelous record of success and relief.
About the Author
In one day Gerry Stringer went from snoring and struggling to breathe to breathing easier than ever. He had a deviated nasal septum that was causing restricted air flow and Denver plastic surgeon Dr. Raval who is an expert in all facets of plastic surgery in Denver, especially pertaining to the nose (rhinoplasty and septoplasty) repaired the deviated septum.
http://www.ravalmd.com/deviated-septum.html
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