ENT - Septoplasty

What is the septum?

The septum is a wall of cartilage and bone that separates the right and left nostril inside the nose. In most people (around 80%), it is not completely straight.

What is Septoplasty?

A septoplasty is usually needed if you have a deviated (bent) septum that causes breathing problems or congestion (a feeling that your nose is blocked), which cannot be resolved by medication.

The procedure is done under general anaesthetic, which means you will be asleep, and will take around 45 minutes.

It involves making a small cut inside the nose and stitching the septum in the right place, but will not usually affect how the nose looks. You will then spend a few hours in hospital until you are well enough to go home, usually the same day. The stitches used inside the nose are dissolvable and disappear within 6 weeks.

Are there any risks/complications?

Bleeding

If there is a lot of bleeding during the operation the surgeons may pack your nose with dressings, these will have to be removed the next morning. It is normal to have blood coloured fluid coming from the nose and crusting for a few weeks, but if you notice a lot of fresh blood seek medical help.

Pain

Your nose may feel sore for a few weeks after surgery, regular pain medication can help with this.

Infection

It is rare to develop an infection but if your nose starts to feel more blocked and sore you should see your GP.

Other complications

The following are uncommon side effects of the operation; a perforation (hole) may develop in the septum, the shape of your nose might change and you may experience numbness in your top teeth and upper lip. You may also notice a change in your sense of smell which can improve with time or can sometimes be permanent. These complications do not happen often but it is important to consider them.

What to expect after surgery

Your nose may feel blocked for about six weeks after the surgery, this is normal and you will have to breathe through your mouth. Do not blow your nose, and sneeze with your mouth open, to help protect your nose from bleeding.

You should be able to return to your normal routine within a few days, but try to stay off work for 2 weeks to protect yourself against infection. If you have a more active job involving heavy lifting or want to play sports, discuss this with your consultant.
You should have recovered completely within 3 months.

After your operation, our consultants recommend using a shop bought isotonic saline nasal spray such as Sterimar or one of the NeilMed preparations. These help the lining of your nose to heal more quickly after surgery. We recommend using these until your ENT doctor reviews you and tells you to stop. Staff in clinic will be happy to give you a leaflet with more information about these.
Please avoid making your own saline solutions at home as these can cause severe unwanted effects on the recovery of your nose and your overall nasal function.

Contact Numbers

If you have any questions or problems, please contact:

Rachel Parks
ENT Specialist Nurse
rachel.parks@nca.nhs.uk

Ear, Nose, and Throat (E.N.T.) Dept - 0161 206 4758