Nasal Septum Reconstruction (Septoplasty)

What is nasal septum reconstruction?

Nasal septum reconstruction, or nasal septoplasty, is a procedure in which the doctor straightens the nasal septum. The septum is the central wall that divides the two nasal passages in the nose.

When is it used?

Reasons for doing this procedure are:

• The septum is deviated (bent out of shape) from an injury and it is hard for you to breathe through your nose.
• You have recurring sinus infections or pain due to a deviated nasal septum.
• The septum has a hematoma (a blood clot) as a result of an injury and does not allow you to breathe normally.
• You have been having excessive nosebleeds.

An example of an alternative is to choose not to have treatment, recognizing the risks of your condition. You should ask your health care provider about this choice.

How do I prepare for nasal septoplasty?

Plan for your care and recovery after the operation, especially if you are to have general anesthesia. Find someone to drive you home after the surgery. Allow for time to rest and try to find people to help you with your day-to-day duties.

Follow your health care provider's instructions about not smoking before and after the procedure. Smokers heal more slowly after surgery. They are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery when they are given general anesthesia. For this reason, if you are a smoker, you should quit at least 2 weeks before the procedure. It is best to quit 6 to 8 weeks before surgery. Also, your wounds will heal much better if you do not smoke after the surgery.

Follow any other instructions your provider may give you. If you are to have general anesthesia, eat a light meal, such as soup or salad, the night before the procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight and the morning before the procedure. Do not even drink coffee, tea, or water.

What happens during the procedure?

You will be given a local or general anesthetic. A general anesthetic will relax your muscles and put you to sleep. It will prevent you from feeling pain during the operation. A local anesthetic is a drug that numbs the part of your body where you will have the surgery. It should keep you from feeling pain during the operation.

The doctor makes a cut inside the lining of your nose. The doctor drains the blood clot and/or reshapes the bones and cartilage so they will heal in a more normal position. The doctor may put a splint on your nose so the bones and cartilage are more likely to stay in place. Your nose may be packed with material to control the bleeding.

What happens after the procedure?

You may go home later in the day or may need to spend a couple of days in the hospital. How long you stay depends on the extent of the operation, how quickly your nose heals, and how much pain you have.

Your nose may be packed for 3 to 4 days. Avoid all heavy activity for at least 1 week and do not stress, push on, or move the nose while it is healing. Do not blow your nose. It is OK to sniff back.

Ask your health care provider what other steps you should take and when you should come back for a checkup.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

You may breathe more easily. You may have fewer nosebleeds.

What are the risks associated with this procedure?

• There are some risks when you have general anesthesia. Discuss these risks with your health care provider.
• A local anesthetic may not numb the area enough and you may feel some minor discomfort. Also, in rare cases, you may have an allergic reaction to the drug used in this type of anesthesia. Local anesthesia is considered safer than general anesthesia.
• You may lose some of the feeling in your upper lip or teeth. Your front teeth may become numb.
• Rarely, the front part of your nose may be flatter than before.
• You may have infection or bleeding.
• Your septum may have a hole through it.

You should ask your health care provider how these risks apply to you.

When should I call my health care provider?

Call your provider if:

• You develop a fever over 100°F (37.8°C).
• You have trouble breathing.
• You have a nosebleed that does not stop in 10 to 15 minutes despite efforts to stop it by resting with your head elevated and ice on your forehead or nose.

Call during office hours if:

• You have questions about the procedure or its result.
• You want to make another appointment.