The deviated septum is the change in position of the wall that separates the nostrils, the septum, which can be caused by blows to the nose, local inflammation or being present from birth, which mainly results in difficulty breathing properly.
Therefore, people who have a deviated septum should consult an otolaryngologist, if this deviation hinders the respiratory process and the quality of life of the person, then the need for surgical correction of the problem is evaluated. Septum bypass surgery is known as septoplasty, is performed under local or general anesthesia and lasts approximately 2 hours.
- Symptoms of septum deviation occur when there is a change in the respiratory process.
- Resulting in the onset of certain symptoms.
- The main being:.
In congenital cases, i.e. in cases where the person has already been born with a deviated septum, signs or symptoms are generally not identified and therefore treatment is not necessary.
Septoplasty, which is surgery to correct the deviated septum, is recommended by ORL when the space is very large and compromises the person’s breathing. This procedure is usually done after the end of adolescence, as this is the time when facial bones stop growing.
Surgery is performed under general or local anesthesia and involves making an incision in the nose to loosen the skin that coats it, followed by a correction of the partition from the removal of excess cartilage or part of the bone structure and repositioning of the skin. During surgery, your doctor uses a small camera to better analyze the bone structure of the person’s nose and make the procedure as 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 surgery, or the next day.
Recovery after surgery for a septum bypass takes about 1 week and during this time it is important to take some precautions, such as avoiding sun exposure, avoiding the appearance of stains, avoiding the use of glasses, changing the dressing as recommended by the lactation team and using antibiotics recommended by the doctor to prevent the onset of infections during the healing process.
It is also recommended to return to the doctor after 7 days for a nose evaluation and healing process.