Septoplasty
Septoplasty
Septoplasty
A deviated septum occurs when the nasal septum (the thin wall dividing the nostrils) is displaced to one side. Although nasal septal deviations are common and often do not cause any health complications, a severe deviated septum can create a nasal obstruction that reduces the airflow through the nose, impairing one's ability to breathe and potentially triggering chronic congestion, sinus infections, sleep disturbances (i.e. snoring), and frequent nose bleeds.
At The Virginia Institute for Surgical Arts, located in Chantilly, Virginia, esteemed facial plastic surgeon Dr. Trang Vo-Nguyen (Dr. V) is pleased to offer septoplasty surgery as an effective treatment option for patients seeking to correct a deviated nasal septum. This procedure involves surgically straightening the crooked septum cartilage and bone in order to improve breathing ability through the nose, and alleviate symptoms of sinus congestion (i.e. nasal discharge, post-nasal drip).
Your Septoplasty Surgery
Septoplasty surgery takes place on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, and is performed entirely through the nostrils (as opposed to cutting through the skin).
During your septoplasty procedure, Dr. V will make an incision inside the nostril in order to remove or reshape the deviated portions of the nasal cartilage and bone, leaving behind a sufficient amount of non-deviated cartilage/bone to maintain the proper nasal structure.
After closing the incision with absorbable stitches, Dr. V will place splints or soft plastic sheets inside the nose to facilitate proper healing and minimize the risk of scar tissue formation.
Septoplasty surgery typically lasts 1-3 hours, and patients may return home the same day to continue their recovery.
Septoplasty Recovery
For the first several weeks following your surgery, you will be advised to avoid strenuous activities, refrain from blowing your nose, and to elevate your head while resting or sleeping in order to facilitate the healing process. Your septoplasty results should be relatively stable within three to six months after surgery; however, some patients continue to experience slight changes in the shape of their nasal cartilage up to a year after the procedure.
For patients whose deviated septum is compounded by the effects of turbinate hypertrophy (enlargement of the turbinates—the sponge-like tissue responsible for properly conditioning the air prior to introduction to the respiratory tract) turbinate reduction may be performed in conjunction with the septoplasty procedure.
Your Septoplasty Surgery
Septoplasty surgery takes place on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, and is performed entirely through the nostrils (as opposed to cutting through the skin).
During your septoplasty procedure, Dr. V will make an incision inside the nostril in order to remove or reshape the deviated portions of the nasal cartilage and bone, leaving behind a sufficient amount of non-deviated cartilage/bone to maintain the proper nasal structure.
After closing the incision with absorbable stitches, Dr. V will place splints or soft plastic sheets inside the nose to facilitate proper healing and minimize the risk of scar tissue formation.
Septoplasty surgery typically lasts 1-3 hours, and patients may return home the same day to continue their recovery.
Septoplasty Recovery
For the first several weeks following your surgery, you will be advised to avoid strenuous activities, refrain from blowing your nose, and to elevate your head while resting or sleeping in order to facilitate the healing process. Your septoplasty results should be relatively stable within three to six months after surgery; however, some patients continue to experience slight changes in the shape of their nasal cartilage up to a year after the procedure.
For patients whose deviated septum is compounded by the effects of turbinate hypertrophy (enlargement of the turbinates—the sponge-like tissue responsible for properly conditioning the air prior to introduction to the respiratory tract) turbinate reduction may be performed in conjunction with the septoplasty procedure.
Your Septoplasty Surgery
Septoplasty surgery takes place on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia, and is performed entirely through the nostrils (as opposed to cutting through the skin).
During your septoplasty procedure, Dr. V will make an incision inside the nostril in order to remove or reshape the deviated portions of the nasal cartilage and bone, leaving behind a sufficient amount of non-deviated cartilage/bone to maintain the proper nasal structure.
After closing the incision with absorbable stitches, Dr. V will place splints or soft plastic sheets inside the nose to facilitate proper healing and minimize the risk of scar tissue formation.
Septoplasty surgery typically lasts 1-3 hours, and patients may return home the same day to continue their recovery.
Septoplasty Recovery
For the first several weeks following your surgery, you will be advised to avoid strenuous activities, refrain from blowing your nose, and to elevate your head while resting or sleeping in order to facilitate the healing process. Your septoplasty results should be relatively stable within three to six months after surgery; however, some patients continue to experience slight changes in the shape of their nasal cartilage up to a year after the procedure.
For patients whose deviated septum is compounded by the effects of turbinate hypertrophy (enlargement of the turbinates—the sponge-like tissue responsible for properly conditioning the air prior to introduction to the respiratory tract) turbinate reduction may be performed in conjunction with the septoplasty procedure.