Diaphragm Surgery

The septum is a thin piece of cartilage and bone located inside the nose that divides it into two parts. In adults, it is approximately 7 cm long.

In some people, the septum is curved. This causes nasal obstruction on one or both sides. This can occur due to injury or abnormal development of the septum. Surgery is performed to correct this curvature.

If you suffer from a blocked nose due to a curved septum, surgery may help. In some cases, septum correction is required to create access for other procedures, such as opening the paranasal sinuses.

The surgery does not change the external appearance of the nose. Sometimes the curvature of the septum may coexist with an external nasal deformity. In these cases, septum surgery can be combined with rhinoplasty.

If you can live with the nasal blockage caused by the curved septum, then surgery is not necessary. Of course, this is something only you can decide.

The surgery lasts about 30-45 minutes and is almost always performed under general anesthesia. All incisions are internal, inside the nose. There are no external scars or bruises.

The incision is made inside the nose, and the septum is corrected by partial removal of cartilage and bone, allowing the septum to be repositioned in the middle of the nose (swinging door septoplasty). Then the septum is fixed in the correct position with the help of sutures. More complex curvatures may require simultaneous rhinoplasty, as the septum must be detached from the external nasal cartilages and nasal bone.

In most patients, nasal packing (gauze) is not used — instead, sometimes absorbable materials that do not need to be removed and dissolve on their own are used. Very rarely, special nasal packs or splints (small plastic pieces) may be placed inside the nose to stop potential bleeding and prevent other complications. If (rarely) these are placed, they are removed within 24 hours after surgery. Splints, if used, are removed after 3-4 days.

Some nasal sensitivity is expected for a few weeks.

You should avoid blowing your nose for a few days to prevent bleeding. If you need to sneeze, do so with your mouth open to protect your nose. If a little blood mixed with other nasal secretions drips, do not worry. This is common in the first few postoperative days.

The nose will also be congested, like having a cold, for 10-14 days after surgery. This can be helped with drops or sprays prescribed by your doctor.

Some sutures may need to be placed inside the nose during surgery. These are absorbable by the body and dissolve on their own.

Usually, hospital stay is for one night. In some cases, the patient may return home the same day after surgery.

Rest at home is needed for about one week. If your work is manual and involves lifting heavy objects, then absence from work is recommended for 2 weeks. Sports with risk of nasal injury should be avoided for about one month.

Nasal septum surgery is safe but there are always small risks as with any surgery. Sometimes the nose may bleed after surgery. This can happen within the first 6-8 hours, or even 5-10 days postoperatively. Very rarely, a return to surgery may be needed to stop it.

Infection in the nose after surgery is very rare, but if it occurs, it must be treated promptly by your doctor.

Much more rarely, due to the surgery, a perforation (hole) may develop in the septum. This can cause whistling sounds when breathing through the nose, as well as crusting, blockage, and occasional bleeding.

Only surgery can correct a curved septum. However, medication with nasal sprays or drops can help treat swelling that contributes to the blockage.