An off centered nose causes a lot of trouble most probably on a daily basis. An off centered nose is a condition where the cartilage that separates the nose into two halves gets displaced from the mid-line. The cartilage that divides the nose into two halves is medically termed as the nasal septum. An off centered nose is also termed as a deviated septum.
There are many cases around the world where people have a deviated septum. A slight off centered nose does not cause any issue to the functioning of the nose. However, in severe cases, deviated septum can cause a lot of trouble. Individuals with an off centered nasal septum can suffer from breathing issues as well as unusual nasal discharge issues. For such individuals, septoplasty is the best way to get rid of severe nasal issues on a permanent basis.
Symptoms of Deviated Septum
- A deviated septum can cause severe issues such as:
- Congested nose
- Difficulty in breathing through one or both sides of the nose
- Stiffness of nose
- Post -nasal dripping
- Nasal swelling
- Pain around the nasal and facial area
- Snoring
- Constant or unusual nasal discharge
- Nose bleeds
Recurring sinus infections
Some of these symptoms on a severe level go unbearable by patients. For example, a blocked nose leads to insomniac condition as the person suffering from such situation find it difficult to breathe while sleeping.
Why is Septoplasty Performed?
Septoplasty can be suggested by your doctor if:
- You are suffering from severe symptoms of deviated nasal septum
- If medications and other treatment methods do not show any improvement
Septoplasty is a corrective procedure to fix the deviated nasal septum on the mid-line of your nose using operative methods. This surgical process involves removal of your crooked nasal septum (that includes bone as well as cartilage) and re-positioning it back to the center line of your nose.
A deviated septum creates two unequal passageways that obstructs breathing through one or both sides of your nose. A nose surgery (septoplasty) not only fixes the septum in place but also creates two equal passages that improves your breathing.
What Happens during Septoplasty?
The surgical procedure of septoplasty is performed under the influence of general anesthesia. Doctors collect pictures of the internal structures of your nose through screening tests in order to learn about your off centered nasal septum.
At the initial step, your doctor makes a cut inside your nose to raise the flap of tissue that lines the nasal septum. This step gives your doctor a clear access to your nasal septum. The tissues that lines the nasal septum is called as the mucosa.
The portion of bone or cartilage that looks off centered from its original natural position can be either taken off or moved in the further steps of the surgery. If moving the cartilage bodies back into the center is difficult for your surgeon, he/she will remove it from its off centered location. This remove part of the septum is placed on the center line and stitched. If the cartilage can be moved, doctors reposition the septum on the mid-line of your nose and stitch it to hold it in place.
A soft sheet of plastic can be fixed inside your nose to keep the nasal septum straight in place. In rare cases, doctors can also use splints to hold the nasal septum in place and prevent its movement after surgery. Placement of such medical devices also reduces the changes of formation of scar tissues around your surgical sites. All the incisions made are sutured using a dissolving thread or wire.
The surgical process will take around one to three hours of time for its completion. After successful implementation of septoplasty, a cotton bandage is used to pack your nose to prevent bleeding. Patients are asked to rest until the influence of anesthesia wears off. As there is not cuts involves around the skin, patients are allowed to go home after the surgery.
A follow up session can be conducted after the surgery to monitor the recovery status of your nose. Doctors can prescribe you with pain killers and other medications during your post operative period. Pain kills ease any sort of pain experienced around your nasal areas. Ensure you change your bandages on time to avoid infections.
To summarize, the above article gives you a detailed information about septoplasty and how it is beneficial for patients having a deviated nasal septum. For an off centered nasal septum, if treatments do not work, septoplasty is the best method to get rid of such an abnormal nasal state.