The Virginia Institute for Surgical Arts Blog

What is Septoplasty? | Rhinoplasty Surgery | Arlington |LeesburgSeptoplasty is a procedure involving the functional reconstruction of the nasal airway passage. The goal of the procedure is to improve the airflow in patients who are suffering from nasal airway obstruction.

Board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Trang Vo-Nguyen (Dr. V) provides septoplasty to patients in Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and surrounding locations.

 

Causes and Symptoms

Nasal airway obstruction can occur due to a variety of causes. One of the common causes of this condition is a deviated nasal septum. This occurs when the cartilage that separates the nostrils is malpositioned. This condition can cause breathing difficulties through the nose as well as pain and nosebleeds.

Some people may have a deviated septum by birth, while some others may develop it following an injury to the nose. In most cases of deviated septum, one nasal passage will be significantly smaller than the other, which can create breathing problems.

 

Corrective Procedure

Septoplasty surgery is primarily the only way to correct a deviated septum and remove breathing obstructions. The key goal of septoplasty procedure is to correct the alignment of the septum and improve the airflow. It is typically performed as an outpatient surgery using general or local anesthesia. The entire procedure can be completed in about 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of a case.

In a typical septoplasty procedure, the surgeon will begin by making an incision on one side of the nose to access the septum. Through the incision, the surgeon will lift up the mucous membrane, which covers and protects the septum. Then the deviated septum will be moved to its appropriate position. The surgeon will also remove any barriers, such as extra pieces of cartilage and bone, at this point.

Finally, the surgeon will reposition the mucous membrane. Sometimes stitches may be required to hold the septum and the membrane in their correct position. But in other cases, packing the nose with cotton may be enough to maintain their position. Dr. V receives patients from Chantilly, Northern Virginia, Loudoun County, Fairfax, Prince William, Fauquier, Arlington, Middleburg, Leesburg, Manassas, Warrenton, and nearby areas for septoplasty.

 

Recovery

Once the effect of anesthesia wears off, the patient will feel mild pain and soreness in the incision areas, which can be managed with pain medications. Swelling will be more pronounced in the first week, and the nose will be packed with cotton to control bleeding. The packing may be removed in a day or two.

Vigorous activities should be avoided for two to four weeks following the surgery. These activities can increase blood pressure and put the patient at the risk of excess bleeding. The patient should keep the head elevated at night for a few days in order to resolve swelling faster. They should avoid blowing the nose for at least three days after surgery.

 

Insurance Aspect

In many cases, septoplasty costs may be covered under the patient’s health plan. Sometimes the surgeon may have to provide a letter addressed to the insurer in order to obtain approval.

 

For more infomation please contact Dr. V. Dr. Trang Thuy Vo-Nguyen, known to her patients as “Dr. V,” is a board certified facial plastic surgeon providing the latest surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures in Northern Virginia, Leesburg, Ashburn, Reston, Chantilly, Loudoun, Fairfax, Warrenton, Fauquier, Arlington, Manassas, Middleburg, Prince William, and other surrounding Virginia and Washington DC areas. https://thevirginiainstitute.com/contact-us/

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Septoplasty Northern Virginia | Fairfax | Loundon VA Plastic SurgeonSEPTOPLASTY

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).

SEPTOPLASTY PROCEDURE

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. 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.

CONTACT THE VIRGINIA INSTITUTE FOR SURGICAL ARTS

In order to ensure that you receive optimally effective treatment for your deviated septum, it is important that you select a physician with in-depth knowledge of facial anatomy and the delicate nasal structures, such as Dr. Trang Thuy Vo-Nguyen (Dr. V). Dr. V has the background, experience, and clinical skill-set to create customized treatment plans that are designed to safely and effectively correct your deviated septum with septoplasty surgery.

Dr. V is double board certified in the field of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and through her extensive training, experience, and achievements, she has built a reputation as one of the leading facial plastic surgeons in the nation.  If you are interested in learning more about septoplasty surgery to correct your deviated septum, please contact The Virginia Institute for Surgical Arts today. We look forward to speaking with you, and to scheduling your initial consultation with Dr. V.

Please call 703-327-8200 or Click Here to Schedule a Consultation.

 

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