Deviated septum?

Written by Escobar MD     

People have asked me this question with relative frequency. To avoid complications, I will give you the following example: the nose will be like two conducts through where air flows, and the wall that separates these conducts is the septum.

In some cases this wall interrupts the flowing of air through one of the conducts, due to prior trauma or a birth defect. When the flow is interrupted it is logical that the breathing will not be good, and it will be necessary to set this wall in a position that allows good breathing. This is what is known as a septoplasty.

It is sometimes necessary to perform it together with a rhinoplasty (or surgery of the external part of the nose) if the breathing is not good. These two surgeries together are called a septorhinoplasty. It is often also necessary to work on the septum to extract grafts that are needed to solve nasal aesthetic defects.

In every serious rhinoplasty it is recommended to check the septum to make sure that there is an adequate breathing and to obtain grafts.

If the surgeon does not master this basic nose surgery technique the results will not be the best, because knowing how to perform a septoplasty is to a nose surgeon what knowing how to crawl is to a child... if you do not know how to perform a septoplasty, you will barely know how to perform a rhinoplasty with good aesthetic and functional results.

This is the reason why an ear nose and throat specialist who also knows to perform the aesthetic part of the nasal surgery is the ideal candidate to operate the nose.

Another thing that you should know is that, if you only need a septoplasty, the recovery is very fast, and even faster if you do not get nasal package. Five to seven days later you will be in perfect condition to begin your usual activity.

Author: PAULO ANDRES ESCOBAR MD