Septoplasty (Nose Bone - Cartilage Curvature)

Septoplasty (nasal bone - cartilage curvature) is a surgical application developed to remove the obstructions that occur in the nose that are accompanied by not being able to breathe. Many people may experience nasal congestion. People with nasal congestion have difficulty getting enough air into their lungs. One of the conditions that cause nasal congestion is nasal curvature. In addition, nasal concha, adenoid enlargement and anomalies in the nasal structure can also cause congestion. With these anomalies, people may have more severe diseases. When they have a cold, flu or sinusitis, they can experience serious problems caused by inflammation.

Anomalies in the nose are taken out with septoplasty for more comfortable breathing and relief of symptoms related to congestion. The patient regains normal respiratory functions.

We will discuss details about septoplasty (nasal bone - cartilage curvature) under the following headings:

• What is septoplasty?
• Who is suitable for septoplasty?
• How is septoplasty (nasal bone - cartilage curvature) performed?
• What should be considered after septoplasty?

What is Septoplasty?

Septoplasty is an operation that corrects congenital curvatures due to any trauma. This surgery does not aim to change the appearance of the nose. It changes the nasal cartilage and bones that prevent the patient's breathing. However, when requested, the curvature and the arched structure of the nose can be corrected together with the correction of the bones in the nose.

Patients consult a doctor for septoplasty for reasons such as:

• Having trouble breathing comfortably
• Persistent pharyngitis or sinusitis
• Nasal discharges
• Loss of sense of smell
• Persistent headache
• Sleep disorders
• dry mouth
• Snoring
• Persistent weakness and fatigue

Who is septoplasty suitable for?

Symptoms such as headache, sleep problems and fatigue accompanying breathing problems push people to apply for this operation. In order for this operation to take place, as in other nose surgeries, the person's facial and bone development must be completed. For this reason, it is applied to people who are at least 18 years old. If such a situation has developed as a result of an accident, septoplasty can be applied as a direct intervention at an earlier age.

How is Septoplasty (Nose Bone - Cartilage Curvature) Performed?

Septoplasty is a surgical method that corrects intranasal bone and cartilage curvatures and enables the patient to function in breathing. The implementation steps of this method are as follows:

• First, the patient is examined. The structure of the nose is examined with imaging techniques.
• In the meantime, the patient's breathing and accompanying complaints are listened to.
• If the patient has a curvature of the nose and his complaints continue for a long time, septoplasty is decided.
• Septoplasty is performed under general anesthesia.
• The septum in the nasal structure normally divides the right and left nose in equal width. However, this equality is not achieved when there is a curvature of the nose. For this reason, the doctor first makes a small incision in the nose to access the septum.
• It is attempted to make corrections by reaching the septum through this incision. However, if the defect is more thanexpected, the septum is removed and reshaped so that the right and left nose are equal and the curvature is eliminated.
• After the septum is shaped outside, it is fixed by stabilization.
• In some cases, intervention from outside the nose may be required. The doctor fixes the bone structures that he corrected from the inside by stabilizing them from the outside through incisions. This operation is called open septoplasty.
• After the operation is completed, self-melting sutures are removed. In addition, tampons are placed in the nose to prevent the risk of bleeding.
• Stitches are removed 1-2 weeks after the operation. Tampons are removed from the nose by the doctor.
• The septoplasty operation, which includes the correction of the internal structures of the nose, is a lighter operation in cases where there is no intervention on the outer roof of the nose. Recovery is rapid, especially in the post-operative period. Patients do not observe any swelling or bruising.

What Should Be Considered After Septoplasty?

After septoplasty, people are kept under surveillance overnight. They are then discharged. After discharge, there may be many bands and silicone splints in the nose. For this reason, it is necessary to be careful while taking a shower in the first weeks and not to wet the head area. After 1 week, these bands are removed and the patient can start taking a shower normally. It is observed that the stitches placed in the nose will shed on their own within 15-20 days.

In the first month after the operation, it is essential for the patient to keep himself away from traumas and infections and to be careful. In case of excessive bleeding or inflammation after discharge, the patient should immediately consult a doctor.