Septoplasty 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/
