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Jul 13, 2023

Septoplasty: Breathing Before, Swelling After, Results

Breathing, Swelling, and Recovering From Deviated Septum Surgery Septoplasty is surgery to correct a defect of the nasal septum. This structure is a thin wall of cartilage and bone that divides your

Breathing, Swelling, and Recovering From Deviated Septum Surgery

Septoplasty is surgery to correct a defect of the nasal septum. This structure is a thin wall of cartilage and bone that divides your nose into two chambers.

A bent or off-center septum that leans to one side of your nose is described as deviated. A deviated septum can block airflow to your nose and cause trouble breathing.

Septoplasty resets the septum to the middle of your nose to improve breathing. While it changes the structure of your nose, it is most often done to correct the way your nose functions not the way your nose looks.

This article describes symptoms that require a septoplasty, what changes are made, and what to expect during recovery.

Alona Siniehina / Getty Images

Septoplasty is minor surgery to correct a deviated septum, which is the leading cause of nasal obstruction. A nasal obstruction typically affects the way your nose functions. Common symptoms of a deviated septum include the following:

While a deviated septum is primarily an internal nasal obstruction, it can sometimes cause one of the following external physical symptoms:

Most people who have a septoplasty, or deviated septum surgery, report that symptoms improve greatly after surgery and healing. Results of septoplasty typically include the following:

In some cases, septoplasty is performed with rhinoplasty, a cosmetic procedure done to enhance the appearance of your nose. When these surgeries are performed together, the procedure is called septorhinoplasty.

In addition to correcting a deviated septum, a septoplasty with rhinoplasty can provide the following results:

The cost of a septoplasty can vary greatly. Factors such as your geographic location, the type of surgeon performing the procedure, and where the surgery is performed can impact your costs. However, when a septoplasty is medically necessary to correct a deviated septum causing a nasal obstruction, the cost may qualify for coverage under your health insurance plan.

The type of alterations made to your nose during a septoplasty can vary based on the type of deformity that exists with your septum and the type of procedure performed.

Generally, a septoplasty is an outpatient procedure that takes about 60–90 minutes. You will most likely receive general anesthesia to numb the area and allow you to remain asleep without pain. Some people have the procedure done with local anesthesia, which only numbs the targeted area while you remain awake.

The procedure typically involves the following steps:

In case of a complex septoplasty or septoplasty with rhinoplasty, a small incision may be made across your columella, the narrow strip of tissue that separates the nostrils and links our nasal tip to your nasal base. However, a septoplasty with rhinoplasty can be done with incisions inside the nostrils.

Alterations to your nose during a septoplasty with rhinoplasty involve physical changes to the shape of your nose. These changes can affect the way your nose looks. They typically involve small incisions on the inside of the nose to break and then reshape it.

Septoplasty is a commonly performed procedure that has a success rate ranging up to 85% depending on the tools used to determine success. This leaves at least 15% of those treated with outcomes that do not provide relief of symptoms. Instead, they experience persistent nasal obstruction after surgery due to one of the following reasons:

Swelling and other aspects of your septoplasty recovery vary by individual and the procedure performed. While healing involves a slow and gradual process, most people report a relatively painless recovery.

Short-term septoplasty recovery typically involves the following symptoms for up to three days after your procedure:

It is common to expect the following during your long-term recovery:

Your timeline for returning to work or school following surgery depends on your condition, the nature of your job or school environment, and the extent of the procedure performed. The following schedule is typical:

Though it is considered a relatively safe surgery with a high rate of success, septoplasty carries the same risks as any surgical procedure along with some unique potential issues. If your deviated septum does not cause symptoms, your healthcare provider may advise that a septoplasty may not be worthwhile.

If you have symptoms, septoplasty can often provide relief despite the potential of the following risks of:

Septoplasty has a high rate of success. For most people, the procedure provides the permanent correction of a deviated septum for life.

You can expect to schedule a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider within the first week or two after surgery. This allows for the examination of the internal surface of your nose to assess the healing process.

After your septoplasty, you will be examined for your risk of the following postsurgical complications:

In some cases, symptoms may fail to resolve. Your healthcare provider can discuss your options for having a second septoplasty to achieve the results you desire.

Septoplasty is surgery to correct a deviated septum. This is a septum that is bent to one side. When this occurs, it blocks normal airflow to your nose. Fixing the problem removes the blockage and restores normal form to your nasal space.

This surgery is done on an outpatient basis. While septoplasty is viewed as common, it carries the risks of any surgery. There is also the risk that symptoms don't improve. You may need to have the surgery done again to correct your symptoms.

Septoplasty is a medical treatment that restores normal breathing. In some cases, it can be done with a rhinoplasty, or cosmetic surgery to change the way your nose looks.

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American Society of Plastic Surgeons. What are the steps of a septoplasty procedure?

Althobaiti KH, Fida AR, Almahmoudi A, AlGhamdi D, Alharbi M. Common causes of failed septoplasty: a systematic review. Cureus. 2022;14(12). doi:10.7759/cureus.33073

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By Anna GiorgiAnna Zernone Giorgi is a writer who specializes in health and lifestyle topics. Her experience includes over 25 years of writing on health and wellness-related subjects for consumers and medical professionals, in addition to holding positions in healthcare communications.