Deviated septum
A septum is a wall
that divides two cavities. In the nose, the septum is made of cartilage, and
divides the nose into two separate chambers (right and left). A deviated septum
is an abnormal shape of the cartilage, which may cause problems with proper
breathing or nasal discharge.
What is septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a
reconstructive plastic surgery performed to correct an improperly formed nasal
septum that may be caused by:
- birth defect
- injury
- damage from previous medical treatments
In addition to correcting a deviated nasal septum, septoplasty may also be
performed to correct other problems such as cleft abnormalities that affect the
nose and nasal cavity and fistula in the maxillary sinuses.
About the procedure
Septoplasty may be performed
with the traditional open surgical technique from inside the nose. When open
surgery is performed, small scars will be located on the base of the nose, but
they usually are not noticeable. Scarring is not visible when internal surgery
is performed. Often a splint is applied to the nose to help maintain new shape,
and nasal packs or soft plastic splints are placed in nostrils to stabilize the
septum.
Depending on the severity of the deviation, septoplasty may be performed in
the following settings:
- A surgeon's office
- An outpatient surgery center
- A hospital as an outpatient
- A hospital as an inpatient
The surgeon will provide guidelines for resuming normal activities. Many
children are up and around within a few days and able to return to school in a
week or so.
What are the complications associated with nasal
surgery?
Children vary greatly in their anatomy and healing ability, and
the outcome is never completely predictable. Complications may occur, including,
but not limited to, the following:
- Infection
- Nosebleed
- Reaction to the anesthesia
Short-term side effects
The following
short-term side effects may occur. If symptoms do not subside, consult your
child's physician.
- Face will feel puffy
- Nose may ache
- Dull headache
- Swelling around the eyes
- Bruising around the eyes
- Small amount of bleeding in first few days
- Small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red spots on the skin's
surface