Functional Nose Surgery (Septoplasty)

Functional Nose Surgery (Septoplasty)

The nose, which is the beginning of the respiratory tract, is the most important organ for breathing to take place. Curves and disorders in this organ also prevent breathing from progressing in a healthy way. There are many operations that can be preferred today to prevent and eliminate this problem. The preferred methods may vary depending on the disorders seen in the nose or the reasons for the operation.

Functional nose surgery, also known as septoplasty, is a type of operation preferred in cases where septum deviation is present. The curves in the cartilage or bones in the middle line of the nose, that is, in the middle part of the nose, and the breathing problem caused by these disorders are characterized as septum deviation. This condition affects the daily life of the patient and can cause much bigger problems in the future. Functional nose surgery is performed to treat deviated septum and to make healthy breathing possible.

What is Deviated Septum?

The nasal septum is a structure that acts as a wall between the two holes of the nose. The bone and cartilage structures in this wall form the midline of the nose. All these structures are also commonly known as the nasal septum. The nasal septum, which has an important place in the anatomical structure, ensures that breathing takes place correctly. If there is a curvature in this structure due to congenital or trauma, breathing difficulties arise. Crooked bone and cartilage structures make breathing difficult. In some cases, these distortions can block the nostrils or cause bigger problems. This condition, which is caused by structural disorders and in which healthy breathing is not possible, is called septum deviation. Asymmetrical nostrils, trauma to the nose due to impact and congenital nasal arch can cause this condition.

Deviated septum can manifest itself with complaints such as nasal congestion, inability to breathe comfortably, waking up tired, fatigue throughout the day, sleep apnea, snoring, recurrent sinus infections, pain in the head and face. It is possible to eliminate these complaints with nasal septum deviation surgery.

What is Functional Nose Surgery?

Septoplasty, which is applied in cases of deviated septum, is performed to regulate the disorders in the nasal septum area. The difference between rhinoplasty and septoplasty is also a matter of curiosity. The question of what is septoplasty or functional nose surgery can be answered as the preferred operation to remove nasal tissues that make breathing difficult or to regulate existing structures. In other words, septoplasty is preferred as a result of nasal structural disorders that adversely affect breathing, while rhinoplasty can only be performed for aesthetic purposes. There is no aesthetic concern in functional nose surgery. It is only aimed to correct the deviation. Functional nose surgery is preferred if the curvature of the septum is accompanied by complaints such as snoring, sinus infection, difficulty in breathing.

How is Functional Nose Surgery Performed?

The question of how septoplasty is performed is as curious as the question of what it is. Functional nose surgery can be performed under both general anesthesia and local anesthesia. There are two different options in this type of operation, open and closed. These types of surgery can also be preferred for different reasons and upon request. For example, closed septoplasty can be applied in cases where the curvature rate is not high in the cartilage part of the septum and the curvature does not affect different areas. This procedure takes approximately 30 minutes. In more serious septum curvatures, open technique operations are performed.

In septum deviation surgeries, if the patient has a narrow airway or the curvature rate is high, open technique surgeries are performed. These operations are also preferred for patients who need rhinoplasty again due to septum deviation.