Septoplasty (Deviated Septum Surgery) in Delhi, India

Septoplasty surgery is done to correct the deviated septum and improve breathing. If your deviated septum blocks one or both nostrils and makes it hard to breathe through your nose, then you may want to go for this surgery. In general, you may be considered as a good candidate for septoplasty if you:

• Have deviated septum that causes breathing problems
• Snore excessively during sleeping
• Have trouble sleeping
• Steroid nasal sprays are not helpful
• Stuffy nose, especially on one side
• Sleep apnea
• Nasal drainage 
• Recurrent sinus infections

The following reasons may not make you a good candidate for septoplasty:

• Smoking
• Multiple medical conditions
• Deviated septum does not cause any breathing problem
• Snoring is minimal
• No stuffy nose or trouble in sleeping
• Bleeding disorder, anaemia or any other chronic illness
• Unable to tolerate anaesthesia

Your doctor may perform an endoscopy to check for the deviated septum and whether it is the root cause of breathing difficulties. In this procedure, the numbing medicine is sprayed into the nose. A small camera attached to a scope is then inserted to check for the deviated septum.

Your doctor will explain the septoplasty surgery in detail along with its risk and benefits. The doctor will ask if you take any medications, including over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and vitamins. They will also ask about allergies along with the family history of any bleeding disorder. Some other preparation that is required for the surgery includes:

• Medical evaluation 
• Physical examination 
• Take pictures of your nose to compare the before and after results of the procedure 
• Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs to avoid the risk of bleeding
• Stop taking blood-thinning medications for two weeks before the surgery
• Not to eat or drink after midnight before the surgery
• Stop smoking

• First, the surgeon makes incisions within the nasal cavity. In some complex cases, the incisions can be made across the columella, the nasal strip of the tissues that separates the nostrils.
• The surgeon then lifts the nasal mucosal lining, which is a membrane that covers the surface of the septum.
• Then extra pieces of bone or cartilage are removed.
• The deviated septum is then repositioned and straightened.
• Finally, the nasal mucosal lining is placed around it, and the surgeon sutures the incisions. 

After the surgical procedure is complete, you will be shifted to a recovery room where the staff carefully monitors your vitals and conditions. Your surgeon may also place splints and internal tubes to support the bone as it begins to heal, though these are quite rare. The surgery usually takes one to two hours to complete. However, it may take longer based on the procedure.

Septoplasty surgery comes with some risks, which are there with any major surgery. Some possible complications of the surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• A hole in the septum
• Decreased sense of smell
• Temporary numbness in teeth or nose
• Scarring
• Discolouration of nose

In most cases, you will be able to go home on the same day as the surgery. Your nose will be swollen and will be packed with dressing to control bleeding. Your doctor will also prescribe pain medications. One may also experience congestion or bleeding. However, these usually go away within two weeks after the surgery. Your surgeon may also ask to follow some precautions, including:

• Avoiding strenuous activities
• Not blow your nose
• Avoid wearing clothes that you need to wear over your head
• Use of nasal saline spray to minimize scab formation
• Elevate the head with a stacked pillow during sleeping
• Apply a cold compress to the nose to treat swelling
• Avoid using blood-thinning medications

1. Septoplasty technique has come up, where only the defect is corrected.
2. CONSIDER DAY CARE SURGERY AS DEFAULT FOR ALL ELECTIVE SURGERY – ASK WHY NOT? RATHER THAN WHY?