A septoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to improve breathing. It addresses a deviated nasal septum, correcting structural problems that hinder airflow and restoring proper nasal function.
What is a Septoplasty
The nasal septum is a wall of cartilage and bone that divides the nose into two passages. Ideally, it runs straight, allowing balanced airflow. However, a crooked or off-center septum, known as a deviated septum, can block passages, making breathing difficult and leading to chronic congestion or nosebleeds.
A septoplasty involves reshaping or repositioning the internal septum. A surgeon makes an incision inside the nose to access the septum. Deviated cartilage and bone are trimmed, straightened, or removed to create a clearer pathway for air, centering the septum and improving airflow. This surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to return home the same day.
Does Septoplasty Change Nose Appearance
A septoplasty is a functional surgery, primarily to improve nasal breathing, not to alter the nose’s external appearance. It focuses on the internal septum structure. Surgeons work inside the nasal passages, avoiding external incisions that would typically change the nose’s visible shape.
While not intended for cosmetic changes, a severe septal deviation visibly affecting the nose’s external form might result in a subtle appearance change after correction. For example, straightening a deviation that caused a crooked appearance could lead to a straighter-looking nose. However, such changes are minimal and not the primary objective; the procedure focuses solely on improving internal airflow.
Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty Differences
Septoplasty and rhinoplasty are nasal surgeries with distinct purposes. Septoplasty is a medical procedure resolving functional breathing problems caused by a deviated septum. Its objective is to improve nasal airflow and alleviate symptoms like congestion.
In contrast, rhinoplasty, or a “nose job,” is a cosmetic procedure changing the nose’s external shape, size, or proportion. Patients choose it for aesthetic concerns like a bridge bump or wide nose. While it can offer minor functional improvements, its primary goal is aesthetic enhancement. These procedures can be combined into a “septorhinoplasty” if a patient desires both functional and cosmetic changes in one surgery.
After Your Septoplasty
After septoplasty, temporary changes in the nose’s appearance are common due to healing. Swelling and bruising around the nose and eyes are normal post-operative effects. Internal splints or packing may be placed to support the septum, temporarily affecting the nose’s feel and appearance.
These temporary effects typically resolve as the nose heals. Initial recovery, including reduced swelling and bruising, usually takes one to two weeks. Complete bone and cartilage healing can take several months, during which minor shape changes may occur as tissues stabilize. The nose’s external shape generally returns to its original appearance once healing is complete.