There are two types of treatment for a deviated nasal septum

Author: Dr. İsmayıl İ. Category: Nose

Published:  2022 - 29 - Sep

There are two types of treatment for a deviated nasal septum:
1 - Laser septochondrocorrection. This is a new method of treating deviated septum, but with one very big drawback: it is indicated for a very narrow circle of patients with a specific deviated septum. Namely, the nasal septum should be curved only in the cartilaginous part of the septum and in the form of a C - shaped bend. However, unfortunately, such a nasal septum can be found only in 1-3% of cases.
2 - The most effective treatment for a deviated septum is only surgical. Two types of intervention are distinguished here: submucosal resection of the nasal septum (according to the author Kilianovskaya) and septoplasty.

The essence of the first is in the almost complete resection of the nasal septum, leaving a duplication of its mucous membrane. Now this operation is not performed due to adverse consequences (perforation of the septum, the development of an atrophic process on the mucous membrane of the nasal septum).

The most physiological and frequently performed operation is septoplasty, the essence of which is the excision of the curved parts of the nasal septum and their possible reimplantation during the operation. Nowadays, an endoscope is often used for this operation.
The operation can be performed both under local anesthesia and under general anesthesia. General anesthesia is preferable, since this, in addition to the complete absence of discomfort for the patient, makes it possible for the surgeon to work calmly to obtain the most positive result. Naturally, the operation should be carried out in stationary conditions. The qualification of the surgeon is of paramount importance here. The frequency and degree of complications, the result in terms of nasal breathing depend on this. With regard to age restrictions, the operation should be carried out in persons who have reached the age of 15. However, in some cases, with severe violations of nasal breathing, the operation can be performed even small, starting from the age of 6, but in this case, the operator must be well versed in the architectonics of the nasal septum so as not to disrupt the normal function of the growth zones of the nasal septum. The duration of the operation is on average 20 minutes, depending on the qualifications of the surgeon and the degree of curvature. Many talk with horror about long tampons in the nose after surgery and their painful removal after surgery. Indeed, this has happened before, but not now. Currently, special latex tampons, splints with tubes in the middle are used to ensure nasal breathing in the postoperative period. And they are removed easily and painlessly. The postoperative period in terms of recovery is most often 7 days.

Of the possible complications, it is worth noting perforation of the nasal septum, synechia of the nasal cavity (fusion of tissues of the septum and the side wall of the nose), nosebleeds both during surgery and in the early or late postoperative period. The risk of perforation of the nasal septum depends directly on the qualifications of the surgeon, the degree of curvature of the nasal septum, the condition of the mucous membrane of the nasal septum. To prevent the development of synechia in the postoperative period, a daily toilet of the nasal cavity is necessary for about a week. Possible bleeding depends on many factors: the state of the body, the function of the hematopoietic system, the presence of high blood pressure, the qualifications of the operating surgeon, and so on. For example, it is undesirable for women during menstruation to undergo surgery, or for people with thrombocytopenia, such interventions are dangerous.

In conclusion, I would like to say that only an ENT doctor can make a diagnosis of “Curved nasal septum”. Not every curvature of the nasal septum requires surgical treatment and, conversely, even with normal nasal breathing, it is not necessary that there is a straight nasal septum.