Septoplasty in Kasaragod: Surgery for Deviated Nasal Septum

 Septoplasty is a surgical procedure used to straighten a significantly deviated nasal septum and improve airflow through the nose.

If persistent nasal obstruction is affecting your breathing, sleep or daily activities despite appropriate medical treatment, septoplasty may provide significant improvement in nasal breathing.

 Septoplasty may be considered for patients with a deviated nasal septum causing:

• Persistent nasal obstruction
• Difficulty breathing through one or both nostrils
• Mouth breathing
• Sleep disturbance related to nasal blockage
• Significant nasal obstruction during exercise
• Selected recurrent nasal or sinus problems
• Anatomical obstruction affecting access during sinus surgery

The presence of a deviated septum alone is not an indication for surgery. The decision is based on the severity of symptoms and findings during ENT examination.

 A detailed nasal evaluation is important because nasal obstruction can have several causes.

Your assessment may include:

The nose and nasal septum are examined to determine the site and severity of deviation.

A thin endoscope provides a detailed view of the nasal passages and helps assess:

• Septal deviation
• Septal spurs
• Inferior turbinate enlargement
• Nasal polyps
• Chronic sinus disease
• Other causes of nasal obstruction

 CT imaging is generally reserved for patients with suspected sinus disease or other indications rather than being routinely necessary for an isolated deviated septum.

 Septoplasty is usually performed through the nostrils, meaning that there is generally no external skin incision or visible scar from a standard septoplasty.

During surgery:

1. A small incision is made inside the nose.
2. The lining covering the septum is carefully elevated.
3. Deviated portions of cartilage and/or bone are corrected.
4. Adequate structural support of the nose is preserved.
5. The lining is repositioned.
6. Internal splints or packing may be used when required.

The exact technique is individualized according to the type and location of the septal deviation.

In selected patients, an endoscope can be used during septoplasty to provide magnified visualization of deeper areas of the nasal septum.

Endoscopic techniques can be particularly useful for:

• Posterior septal deviations
• Localized septal spurs
• Selected complex deviations
• Septoplasty performed along with endoscopic sinus surgery

The choice between conventional and endoscopic techniques depends on the anatomy and surgical requirement.

 Some patients have both a deviated septum and enlarged inferior turbinates.

Correcting the septum alone may not completely address nasal obstruction in these cases. When appropriate, septoplasty may therefore be combined with turbinoplasty or turbinate reduction to improve the nasal airway.

 Patients with chronic sinusitis may occasionally require both septal correction and Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS).

Septoplasty may improve surgical access to the sinuses and address an important structural component of nasal obstruction.

However, septoplasty and sinus surgery are different procedures and should only be combined when clinically indicated.

It is normal to experience some nasal blockage, mild discomfort and blood-stained nasal discharge during the first few days.

Patients are generally advised to:

• Avoid forceful nose blowing
• Avoid strenuous exercise initially
• Use saline nasal washes as advised
• Take prescribed medications regularly
• Attend postoperative follow-up for nasal cleaning and assessment
• Avoid injury or pressure to the nose during early healing

Breathing generally improves gradually as postoperative swelling settles.

 Recovery varies between individuals.

Many patients can return to routine desk work within approximately one week, although nasal congestion may persist for a few weeks.

Strenuous physical activity and contact sports should be avoided until your surgeon confirms that healing is satisfactory.

 A routine septoplasty is performed primarily to improve nasal function and usually does not intentionally alter the external appearance of the nose.

If the external nose is also crooked or if structural changes are required to improve both appearance and breathing, a septorhinoplasty may be considered instead.

 Septoplasty is generally a safe procedure, but all surgery carries potential risks.

These may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Persistent nasal obstruction
• Septal perforation
• Adhesions inside the nose
• Temporary numbness
• Alteration in smell
• Rare changes in nasal appearance
• Need for revision surgery in selected cases

Your surgeon will discuss risks relevant to your individual anatomy and planned procedure.