Septum deviation

Nasal septum separates nasal cavity into two parts. The front part of septum is made up of cartilage and the back part is made up of bone. The ideal case is possible when the septum is in the middle, both nasal cavities are in the same width. Septum is not in the middle line in 80% of people, but in most cases, it does not cause any complaint. The displacement of septum from the middle line is called septum deviation.

What are the reasons for septum deviation?

The reasons for septum deviations are different. Rarely, some babies inside womb are born with septum deviation related to the curved development of septum. Sometimes, septum is curved while the new born baby passes through the birth canal. Collisions, falls, trauma and sports injuries during childhood and adolescence may cause to septum deviation. Septum deviation may arise as a result of rapid development of bone and cartilage parts of septum in the period of growth.

What are the symptoms of septum deviation?

The most common reason for septum deviation is the difficulty of nose breathing. Nasal congestion occurs mainly on the side where septum is curved, but it may cause to permanent or sometimes breathing difficulty on the right and sometimes on the left. The main complaints:

• Single or double-sided nasal congestion
• Recurrent nosebleeds
• Recurrent sinusitis
• Sometimes pain in the face, headache, postnasal drip
• Breathing difficulties during sleep (especially, in children)

Complaints in people with mild septum deviation emerges only during cold. As a result of swelling caused by respiratory tract infections, normally mild nasal congestion further increases and complaints pass away after the recovery of patient.

How the septum deviation is determined?

After our physician listens to your complaints, he/ she will ask you about any trauma or surgery related to nose. Then, he/ she will examine the inside of the nose and the condition of septum. This is carried out by the tool used to open nose wings or optical devices called endoscope. There is no need for other examination for the diagnosis of septum deviation. However, if the physician thinks that your complaints are related with sinusitis or allergies, he/ she may ask to conduct tests and laboratory tests in accordance with it.

How the septum deviation is treated?

The treatment is surgical and the surgery is called septoplasty. This surgery is carried out both under general and local anesthesia. Septum in the surgery is carried out with cuts inside the nostrils and invisible from outside after the surgery. The duration of the surgery is 1 – 1.5 hours. Silicon tampon is placed into nasal cavity in order to support the septum to keep the septum in place at the end of surgery. It is removed within a few days after the surgery.

After the surgery septoplasty

• Your nose can be partially or fully occluded related to tampons placed in the nose after the surgery or you can breathe through your mouth.
• Nasal secretion will increase after the surgery and there will be reddish discharge both from the front and back of the nose. This is not bleeding and it will gradually decrease after the surgery and continue till the removal of tampons.

What to pay attention after septoplasty?

• The patient stays at the clinic for the first few hours after the surgery. You can go home after your doctors examination and advice.
• First of all, there is too little and bloody nasal discharge. Then, the color of discharge will get brighten.
• There is no nutrition diet related surgery. There can be nausea after the surgery. It is related with blood discharge that you have swallowed. This discharge irritates the stomach and causes to vomiting.
• Dont touch and move your nose.
• Make proper use of medications prescribed by your doctor. Postoperative discomfort is individual. If needed, painkiller is given. You should use it when you have pain.
• Dont use aspirin 1 week before and 1 week after the surgery. As aspirin increases the likelihood of bleeding.
• Dont put domestic water on your nose.
• You can wash yourself not being long and hot.
• There can be drying and peeling off in your nose after the surgery. Use steam machine or breathe with the steam of boiled water for 3 -4 times. in order to reduce them.
• Recovery is completed in 2-6 weeks. During this time, go for the doctors examination.

When you should contact your doctor?

• If temperature exceeds 38 degree
• If there is a pain that you cant control it with medicine
• If you have severe bleeding.