What is septum?
The wall that divides the nasal cavity into two and extending from front to back nasal passage is called ‘septum’ or ‘nasal septum’. Septum consists of a combination of cartilage in front of the nose and bones in the back. Mostly, septum is not perfectly flat and has some curvature in its structure. In other words, in a significant number of people, the septum is definitely curved to one side. However, in a very small number of patients, this situation causes complaints. For example, if the nasal cavities are narrow, even if the curvature in the septum is small, it may initiate a complaint. Or the nasal cavity is wide, but the curvature is very pronounced, and it constricts the airway passage and causes nasal congestion or different complaints in the patient.
What kind of complaints are formed in patients because of the septum deviation?
Septum deviation can cause dryness in the nose, bleeding, recurrent or prolonged rhinosinusitis (inflammation in the sinuses). Patients with septum deviation, nasal congestion and breathing difficulties, need detailed examination. Patients are examined by endoscopy (camera); the degree of deviation, additional pathologies and areas where the passage is narrowed are examined. If these patients do not have additional complaints and findings, imaging procedures may not be necessary.
At what stage surgical procedure is required?
Septum deviation should be treated as mentioned above only if it prevents breathing. The surgical procedure is called ‘Septoplasty”. Curvature in the nasal septum is corrected by certain techniques under general anesthesia. Since the surgical procedure will be applied inside the nose and the nose roof is not touched, edema, redness, bruising or swelling around the face and eyes are not expected after the operation. After the procedure, the tampon is not used, sometimes silicone stents are placed inside. These stents are removed after 1-3 days. Some sprays are given to the patient for intranasal cleaning and the patient is followed up. Patients can return to their daily routines in a short time after surgery and start their work.