Surgical procedure

Septoplasty

Septoplasty is indicated for patients who present the symptoms above and who experience little or no improvement with medical treatment.

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What is Septoplasty?

Septoplasty is a specialized surgical procedure that aims to correct a deviated nasal septum, the bone-and-cartilage structure that separates the two nasal cavities. When this structure is crooked (deviated), it narrows or blocks one or both nostrils.

The nasal septum, made up of a cartilaginous portion and a bony portion, works as a dividing wall between the two nostrils. When deviated, it creates a mechanical obstruction that hinders or prevents the passage of air, resulting in breathing difficulties that may worsen during physical activity or when lying down.

Indications for Septoplasty

Surgery is recommended when a deviated septum causes functional problems that do not respond adequately to medical treatment and that impact the patient’s quality of life. The main indications include:

Persistent nasal obstruction, which can interfere with daily activities and sleep.
Recurrent sinusitis, when the deviation contributes to impaired drainage of the paranasal sinuses.
Snoring and sleep apnea, resulting from obstruction of the upper airway.
Recurrent headaches, related to nasal obstruction and to pressure of the septum against the lateral nasal wall.
Frequent nosebleeds, due to drying of the mucosa.
Reduced sense of smell and taste, because of impaired airflow.

Indication Criteria

Septoplasty is indicated for patients who present the symptoms above and who experience little or no improvement with medical treatment.

Benefits of Septoplasty

Breathing: the most frequent benefit is better breathing through the nose, with the nasal passages cleared. How much it improves varies from case to case, because the septum is one of the points that can narrow the airway, and not always the only one.

Sleep quality: correcting the septum improves nighttime ventilation and may reduce episodes of snoring and sleep apnea.

Recurrent sinusitis: when the deviation blocks the drainage area of the sinuses, correcting the septum may help reduce the episodes. Recurrent sinusitis has several causes, and the decision about what to treat depends on the examination and the CT scan.

Physical activity: with freer nasal breathing, some patients report feeling more comfortable when training and exercising.

Overall well-being: breathing better through the nose usually has an effect on sleep, smell and taste, and may reduce how often obstruction-related symptoms occur, such as headaches and recurrent infections. How much changes depends on what was causing each symptom.

Surgical Technique

Septoplasty is performed inside the nose, with an endoscope and fine instruments, with no external incisions. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. When the septum and the nasal turbinates are operated on together, surgery takes about one hour.

During surgery, the surgeon makes a small incision inside the nose to access the deviated septum. The mucosa is carefully lifted off the septal structure, allowing the deviated portions of bone and cartilage to be repositioned or removed. The goal is to center the septum, creating more symmetrical and open nasal passages.

At our practice, we do not use the silicone plates left inside the nose after surgery (nasal splints): instead, we use transseptal sutures, which do the same job and do not need to be removed afterward. We use nasal packing only in very exceptional cases.

Frequently asked questions about Septoplasty

What is a deviated nasal septum?

The nasal septum is the structure of bone and cartilage that divides the two nostrils. When it is deviated, it can hinder the passage of air, causing nasal obstruction, a stuffy-nose sensation, and worse breathing, especially when lying down or during physical exertion.

When is septoplasty indicated?

Septoplasty may be indicated when a deviated septum causes persistent nasal obstruction and symptoms that do not improve adequately with medical treatment. In some cases, it may also be part of the approach to recurrent sinusitis, recurrent nosebleeds, headache related to the nasal anatomy, and significant breathing difficulty.

Does septoplasty require nasal packing afterward?

At our practice, in the vast majority of cases, no. We use nasal packing only in very exceptional cases, and we explain this in detail at the consultation. We also do not use the silicone plates left inside the nose after surgery (nasal splints): instead, we use transseptal sutures, which do the same job and do not need to be removed afterward.

How is septoplasty surgery performed?

Septoplasty is usually performed inside the nose, with no visible external incisions. The procedure corrects the deviated areas of the septum to improve airflow, and the technique may be conventional or endoscopic, depending on the nasal anatomy and the individualized surgical plan.

Does septoplasty improve snoring and sleep apnea?

Septoplasty improves nasal breathing and may help reduce snoring in some patients, as well as making CPAP easier to tolerate when there is significant nasal obstruction. In sleep apnea cases, however, the benefit depends on individualized assessment, because the problem usually involves other points of obstruction besides the nose.