Content
The deviated septum corresponds to the change in the positioning of the wall that separates the nostrils, the septum, which can occur due to blows to the nose, local inflammation or to be present since birth, which mainly causes difficulty in breathing correctly.
Thus, people who have a deviated septum should consult an otorhinolaryngologist, if this deviation is hindering the respiratory process and the person's quality of life, and the need for surgical correction of the problem is then assessed. Surgery for deviated septum is known as septoplasty, it is done under local or general anesthesia and lasts about 2 hours.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of deviated septum appear when there is a change in the breathing process, leading to the appearance of some symptoms, the main ones being:
- Difficulty breathing through the nose;
- Headache or face pain;
- Bleeding from the nose;
- Stuffy nose;
- Snoring;
- Excessive tiredness;
- Sleep apnea.
In congenital cases, that is, in cases where the person is born with a deviated septum, signs or symptoms are usually not identified and, therefore, treatment is not necessary.
Deviated septum surgery
Septoplasty, which is the surgery to correct the deviated septum, is recommended by the ENT when the deviation is very large and compromises the person's breathing. This procedure is usually done after the end of adolescence, since it is the moment when the bones of the face stop growing.
The surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia and consists of making a cut on the nose to detach the skin that covers it, followed by correction of the septum from the removal of excess cartilage or part of the bone structure and the repositioning of the skin. During surgery, the doctor uses a small device with a camera to better analyze the bone structure of the person's nose to make the procedure as less invasive as possible.
The surgery lasts an average of 2 hours and the person may be discharged on the same day, depending on the time of the surgery, or on the following day.
Care after surgery
Recovery from surgery for deviated septum takes about 1 week and during this period it is important to take some precautions, such as avoiding sun exposure, to avoid the appearance of stains, avoid wearing glasses, changing the dressing according to the team's recommendation nursing and use antibiotics recommended by the doctor to prevent the occurrence of infections during the healing process.
It is also recommended to return to the doctor after 7 days for an evaluation of the nose and the healing process.