Breathing through your nose may not always be as easy as expected. If you breathe much more comfortably through one nostril than the other, snore during sleep, or frequently get sinusitis, the cause could be a deviated septum. The surgical treatment for this condition is called septoplasty.
What Is the Septum, and What Causes a Deviated Septum?
The septum is the cartilage and bone structure that separates the two nostrils. Ideally, it sits exactly on the midline. However, the septum can shift to one side due to congenital structural differences, facial trauma, or asymmetric development during growth.
Studies conducted in Turkey show that approximately 70-80 percent of the population has some degree of septal deviation. Deviations that cause symptoms are seen less frequently.
Symptoms of a Deviated Septum
- Chronic nasal congestion, on one or both sides
- Snoring during sleep
- Recurrent sinusitis attacks
- Nosebleeds (from dryness of the septal mucosa)
- Needing to breathe through the mouth
- Poor sleep at night and fatigue during the day
How Is Septoplasty Performed?
Septoplasty is a procedure completed in an average of 45-90 minutes under general or local anesthesia. The entire procedure is performed through the inside of the nose; no external incision or scar remains.
The surgeon removes or repositions the excess portion of the deviated septal cartilage and/or bone. Structural support is preserved. Packing is placed inside the nose after the procedure; it's usually removed within 2-5 days.
Can Septoplasty Be Combined with Rhinoplasty?
Yes. This combination is called septorhinoplasty. It's the most effective way to resolve both functional (breathing) and aesthetic (appearance) issues in a single surgery. Both the recovery process happens all at once, and the cost is more advantageous compared to two separate surgeries.
Since Prof. Dr. Esin Yalçınkaya combines ENT and aesthetic surgery expertise, she can perform septorhinoplasty as a single surgeon. This allows both the functional and aesthetic outcomes to be optimized without any loss of coordination.
Recovery Process
- Packing is removed within 2-5 days
- Moderate swelling and bruising resolves in 1-2 weeks
- Return to desk work is possible in 5-7 days
- Easier breathing is usually felt within a few days
- Full recovery is complete in 4-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
Does septoplasty change the outer appearance of the nose?
No, unless it's planned together with aesthetic rhinoplasty, septoplasty doesn't change the outer appearance of the nose; it only corrects the internal deviation.
Is septoplasty covered by insurance?
Functional septoplasty (aimed at breathing difficulty) may be considered a medical necessity; it's recommended to contact your insurance provider for coverage details.
Does breathing improve immediately after septoplasty?
Breathing improves noticeably once the packing is removed; full recovery and complete resolution of swelling can take a few weeks.