Septoplasty | Correcting a Deviated Septum
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to correct a deviated septum. Your septum is the thin wall of bone and cartilage that divides your nostrils. When it's deviated it means it's bent in a way that makes one of those nostrils smaller. Septoplasty repairs the septum by straightening and repositioning it. Our Texas Sinus and Snoring surgeons' goal is to improve airflow through the nostrils.
How do I know if I have a deviated septum and need a septoplasty?
Septum Visual Test
Some more severe deviated septums can be seen from the outside. If your nose is visually off center, you may have a deviated septum. Another way to tell is to look at your nose from the nostrils. If you see the nostrils shifted to one side, you may have a deviated septum. It's important to remember a septoplasty is a sinus surgery to improve function, not a cosmetic surgery.
Symptoms of Deviated Septum
Not all deviated septums cause sinus problems. For some, symptoms can include:
- Difficulty breathing out of one nostril
- Repeat sinus infections
- Noisy breathing or snoring
- Optimized breathing on one side of the nose only
- Sinus pain or pressure
- Nose bleeds
- Frequent mouth breathing
Want to learn more about deviated septums, click the button below.
Proper Exam & Sinus CT Scan
The only way to truly know if you're a candidate for septoplasty is to come in for a proper exam. We're all about comprehensive care so you can receive any necessary scans in our office, on your first visit. Our sinus doctors at Texas Sinus and Snoring have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating sinus related issues like a deviated septum. They'll be there every step of the way from your comprehensive exam, to surgery, to recovery.
If you're ready to break the cycle and breathe, click the button below to request an appointment.
What to expect from Septoplasty?
Most septoplasties at Texas Sinus and Snoring are done right in our office in our AAAASF certified surgery center. Our surgeons are able to make all the necessary incisions within the nose. The nasal septum is straightened by trimming, repositioning and sometimes replacing the cartilage or bone. If there is a problem with a depressed bridge, spreader grafts (small reinforcing strips of cartilage) can be used to build it up.
What are the benefits of Septoplasty?
The number one thing we hear from our septoplasty patients after recovery is, "I can breathe SO much better!" Because a septoplasty straightens and corrects the position of the septum to return normal, effective airflow through the nostrils is common.
Many patients report decreased snoring and better sleep apnea numbers. This is great news for our patients and their partners!
Another benefit is less sinus infections. Our goal is always complete healing so we want to make sure your sinus infections aren't also caused by seasonal allergies. Many septoplasty patients also go see our allergy clinic if they have seasonal allergies.
What does septoplasty recovery look like?
A positive surgery outcome isn't just about the surgery, it's also about the post operative care. Our staff will go over every detail of what to expect after your surgery during your preoperative appointment.
Patients can expect some minor pain and swelling for a day or two. You’ll need to sleep with your head elevated for a few days. Most patients return to regular life within 3-7 days of surgery. Though, all patients should restrict heavy physical activity, bending and lifting for two weeks. Keeping blood pressure down through the face is important during healing.
Full recovery and stability of the tissues can take up to one year, but they should be relatively stable somewhere between 3-6 months.
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