Deviated Septum
What is a deviated septum? A septum is a wall that divides two cavities. In the nose, the
septum is made of cartilage, and divides the nose into two separate
chambers (right and left). A deviated septum is an abnormal shape of the
cartilage, which may cause problems with proper breathing or nasal
discharge.
What is septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a reconstructive plastic surgery performed to correct an
improperly formed nasal septum that may be caused by:
- birth defect
- injury
- damage from previous medical treatments
In addition to correcting a deviated nasal septum, septoplasty may also
be performed to correct other problems, such as cleft abnormalities that
affect the nose and nasal cavity.
About the procedure:
Septoplasty may be performed with the traditional open surgical technique
from inside the nose. When open surgery is performed, small scars will be
located on the base of the nose, but they usually are not noticeable.
Scarring is not visible when internal surgery is performed. Depending on
the severity of the deviation, septoplasty may be performed in the
following settings:
- a surgeon's office
- an outpatient surgery center
- a hospital as an outpatient
- a hospital as an inpatient
The surgeon will provide guidelines for resuming normal activities.
Many children are up and around within a few days and able to return to
school in a week or so.
What are the complications associated with nasal
surgery?Children vary greatly in their anatomy and healing ability, and
the outcome is never completely predictable. Complications may occur,
including, but not limited to, the following:
- infection
- nosebleed
- reaction to the anesthesia
Short-term side effects of surgery may include:The following short-term side effects may occur. If symptoms do
not subside, consult your child's physician.
- splint applied to nose to help maintain new shape
- nasal packs or soft plastic splints placed in nostrils to stabilize
septum
- face will feel puffy
- nose may ache
- dull headache
- swelling around the eyes
- bruising around the eyes
- small amount of bleeding in first few days
- small burst blood vessels may appear as tiny red spots on the skin's
surface
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