Deviated septum is a common condition. In fact, a perfectly flat partition is a big exception. But its deformation is not always regarded as a pathology and in most situations does not need any treatment. In the event that the curvature of the nasal septum is sufficiently pronounced, then it can lead to a number of complications. In this case, we can talk about the presence of the disease. In such a situation, treatment by an otorhinolaryngologist is indicated. According to statistics, such a curvature almost never occurs during childhood. The peak of defect detection occurs mainly in adolescents from thirteen to eighteen years old. This time is also associated with the rapid growth of the body.
Symptoms of the disease
There are quite a few symptoms of a deviated septum. Complaintspresented at a doctor's appointment are usually recorded as follows:
- The appearance of difficulty in nasal breathing. This symptom can be expressed in varying degrees, ranging from minor disturbances to the absolute inability to breathe through the nose. That is, while the patient breathes through the mouth. True, the absence of this complaint is not a sign that the curvature as such is also absent. When the deformity occurs at a young age, the body compensates for it over time. The patient does not have any complaints of shortness of breath. In the event that the nasal cavity is large, then there are no difficulties either. Symptoms of a deviated septum are important to recognize in a timely manner.
- The development of chronic rhinitis, which is manifested by a constant runny nose. This condition is manifested by nasal congestion, with constant mucous discharge. Against this background, people do not go to the doctor for a long time, believing that this is just a frequent cold and the whole thing is to reduce immunity.
- The appearance of an allergic reaction. The changes that occur in the nasal cavity due to the curvature of the septum are accompanied by a violation of the local defense mechanism and immunity. This can manifest itself not only in a decrease in overall resistance to infections, but also in the occurrence of allergic reactions. Allergic rhinitis is a common problem among people with a deviated septum. Chronic rhinitis is a condition against which the development of bronchial asthma often occurs. The patient complains thatnasal congestion with secretions occurs mainly during contact with various allergens, for example, pollen from certain plants.
- Presence of headaches. A deviated septum can come into contact with the nasal mucosa, putting pressure on it. The presence of constant irritation of the nerve receptors leads to the development of a reflex headache.
- The appearance of dryness in the nose along with discomfort and discomfort during breathing. This condition is a symptom of a developing long-term inflammatory process in the nose.
- The occurrence of nosebleeds. A similar condition is also the result of irritation of the mucosa. From the side where the bulge is located on the septum, the mucosa is very thinned. Even with a slight impact, it is very easily damaged.
- Presence of snoring at night due to impaired nasal breathing.
- The appearance of increased fatigue along with a decrease in efficiency and reduced resistance to physical exertion. This symptomatology is associated with a violation of breathing through the nose, and in addition, with an insufficient supply of oxygen to the blood.
- Presence of frequent infections with symptoms in the form of runny nose, cough, sneezing, fever and so on.
- Symptoms of chronic inflammation of the larynx, which manifests itself in the form of perspiration, dryness and sore throat.
- Symptoms of an inflammatory process in the middle ear area in the form of pain and general hearing loss.
- Noticeable deformity of the nose. This symptom is typical of a deviated septum of a traumatic nature.
- In more severe cases, patients may experience intermittent seizures along with blurred vision, heart pain and pressure, shortness of breath and other symptoms. All these signs can be directly related to the deformity of the nasal septum.
- Deviation of the nasal septum in a child leads to a deterioration in memory and thinking along with absent-mindedness. Over time, school performance begins to suffer for schoolchildren.
Treatment of pathology
Deviated septum is treated surgically. The main type of operation performed in most cases is the so-called septoplasty.
What are the indications for surgery?
Indications for performing surgery for deviated septum are the following factors:
- Presence of difficulty in nasal breathing only on one or both sides at once. Surgery is absolutely reasonable, provided that the difficulty in breathing is caused precisely by the deformation of the septum.
- Development of chronic rhinitis, that is, inflammation of the nasal mucosa.
- The appearance of otitis media, against which inflammation of the middle ear occurs. The fact is that the initial cause of this disease is a violation of the shape of the nasal septum.
- Development of inflammation of the paranasal sinuses. Thus, surgery is required for sinusitis, sinusitis, ethmoiditis, and so on. But surgery is requiredprovided that these complications were caused precisely by the curvature of the septum.
- Having frequent recurring headaches.
- Presence of external cosmetic defects. Sometimes, in rare cases, immediately after fractures, they can simultaneously align the back of the nose, performing septoplasty.
What are the contraindications for surgery?
Contraindications for septoplasty in the presence of a deviated septum are the following patient conditions and pathologies:
- The patient's advanced age. With age, respiratory disorders in the presence of a curvature of the nasal septum are partially compensated. In this regard, the symptoms of the disease become less pronounced. In older people, atrophy of the nasal mucosa can occur, which is why the operation is difficult and the risk of complications is very high.
- The patient has bleeding disorders. For example, septoplasty is strictly contraindicated for people with hemophilia.
- Presence of severe diseases of the heart or blood vessels.
- The patient has diabetes.
- Presence of mental illness in the patient.
- The appearance of malignant tumors.
- Presence of severe infections.
- The development of a serious condition of the patient.
- In relation to children and persons over forty-eight years old, this operation can be performed, but the indications for it at this age are very narrow.
What you need to prepare for nasal deformity surgerypartitions?
Preparation for septoplasty
The primary diagnosis of septal curvature, as a rule, is established by an otorhinolaryngologist in a polyclinic. In the event that the doctor considers that surgical intervention is required, they are issued a referral for the patient to the hospital. In the emergency department, the patient is examined, and the date of hospitalization is assigned to him. Prior to this, it is required to pass a standard set of necessary tests. This can be done at the clinic according to the place of residence.
Two weeks before the upcoming operation, the patient must give up all bad habits. It is very important to avoid hypothermia, and in addition, various infections. Among other things, it is required to cure bad teeth, as well as to eliminate all kinds of foci of inflammation in the body. During the operation, excessive blood loss is likely due to the fact that the nasal mucosa is abundantly supplied with blood vessels. For women, such an operation is best planned two weeks after menstruation.
Immediately before the operation in the hospital, the patient may be assigned an additional examination. In the event that the intervention is planned to be performed under general anesthesia, then on the day of its implementation, the patient should not eat or drink from the very morning. Exactly in an hour, the patient is given premedication, that is, drugs are administered to help prepare the body for anesthesia.
Operation
So, the main treatment for deviated septum is surgery.
Septoplasty, thenthere is plastic surgery of the nasal septum, performed under general or local anesthesia. For children, only general anesthesia is used. The patient is placed on the operating table in a supine position. This surgical intervention does not involve any incisions on the face. The fact is that access occurs through the nostril. The surgeon cuts the mucous membrane, which is separated from the nasal septum, then plastic surgery is performed and sutures are applied.
Immediately after the operation, tampons are placed in the nose, which are pre-soaked with a solution of a hemostatic drug. The patient needs to wear them for one day. To date, the use of silicone splints is very widely practiced, helping the new partition to reliably maintain the required shape. The curvature of the septum in a number of situations is combined with the asymmetry of the ethmoid bone, and in addition, with a change in the size and shape of the turbinates. Such violations must also be eliminated without fail during such an operation.
When the nasal septum is deviated, laser surgery is very common.
Endoscopic laser septoplasty
The advantages of laser septoplasty are the following achievements:
- Causing minimal tissue trauma.
- Total blood loss during surgery is minimized.
- The laser is antisepticproperty.
- Rehabilitation procedures and activities during the postoperative period are minimized.
The main disadvantage of the laser is that it is not able to eliminate the entire deformity of the nasal septum, especially this technique cannot cope with its bone part.
How successful is this treatment for a deviated septum?
What does the patient expect in the postoperative period?
For two days after surgery, the patient is forced to wear turundas (that is, swabs in the nose to prevent bleeding). This can cause some discomfort, since nasal breathing is impossible during this time. On the fourth day, breathing is completely restored. Immediately after the operation, the patient is regularly examined by an otorhinolaryngologist. At the same time, dry crusts are removed from the nose, rinsing with saline or sea s alt is carried out, and a nasal shower is performed.
In the event that during the postoperative period the patient is disturbed by severe pain, he is prescribed analgesics, that is, various painkillers. As part of the prevention of infectious complications, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. After the patient recovers and is discharged from the hospital, he is observed for another month by an otorhinolaryngologist in the clinic.
Consequences of treatment
Regarding the most common complications after treatment of deviated nasalpartitions, then we can talk about the appearance of the following consequences:
- The occurrence of large hematomas. All hemorrhages are concentrated, as a rule, under the mucous membrane.
- The appearance of nosebleeds.
- The occurrence of perforation of the nasal septum, within which various holes and defects are formed in it. What are the possible consequences of a deviated septum?
- The appearance of an abscess under the nasal mucosa, that is, an abscess.
- Development of purulent sinusitis.
- Development of nose deformity. Predominantly, retraction of his back may occur due to the fact that the surgeon resected the septum too high.
Treatment of deviated septum without surgery
This includes the following methods:
- Taking teas and herbal infusions.
- Massage.
- Using ultrasonic machines, etc.
- Breathing exercises.
You can relieve swelling due to the curvature of the nasal septum with a therapeutic massage. To do this, you need a cream based on propolis, which is applied to the area of \u200b\u200bthe cheeks close to the nose. It must be massaged into the skin and performed on the sinus area with constant circular movements. It is effective to carry out this procedure in the evening.
Essential oils of eucalyptus, fir and vetiver are the best helpers in the fight against swelling of the sinuses. For procedures with them, you should literally add a drop of one of the oils to a cup of water and moisten a round cotton pad in it.disk, after which wet disks are pressed against the sinus area and left for 10 minutes. The procedure should be done every day, morning and evening. Even ordinary black tea can effectively relieve pain and tightness in the sinuses. To do this, strong black tea is brewed (at least 3 teaspoons per 0.5 liters of boiling water), and the patient then breathes through his nose over a bowl of hot liquid. Cover yourself with a large towel to keep the tea warm.
But it is important to understand that curing a deviated septum without surgery is quite difficult.
Patient testimonials
About treating a deviated septum problem with septoplasty, people write that normal and human breathing is definitely worth it. But at the same time, patients have to endure a whole month of discomfort, from preparation for surgery to the postoperative period.
Many people in their reviews of the operation for deviated septum admit that they were very scared immediately before it. And during the surgical intervention itself, I had to experience extremely unpleasant sensations. People report that they had a septoplasty done under local anesthesia. In addition to pain during surgical procedures, it is reported that the postoperative period is also quite difficult to tolerate, since recovery takes quite a long time. For example, people report that immediately after the operation, the nose does not breathe at all for another three weeks.
But after the experience of fear and apprehension, most patients are satisfied with the results of treatment andreport that at last their nose can breathe unobstructed and free. Others write that yes, of course, it became easier to breathe, but after the operation, some people began to worry about herpes and frequent runny nose.
There is another side to this treatment of deviated septum in the nose, around which a heated discussion is unfolding on the Internet. We are talking about the cost of such therapy, which, as it turns out, not everyone can afford. People write that septoplasty to correct the curvature cost them fifty thousand rubles.
I must say that the comments about the treatment of deviated septum are more controversial. In general, people find that the results of septoplasty are worth a little patience. After all, after an experienced operation, whatever one may say, there are many advantages, such as, for example, ease of breathing and the absence of nasal congestion. People write in their reviews with a curvature of the nasal septum that, thanks to the treatment they underwent, they began to get sick less, stopped suffering from bronchitis, and in addition, their overall quality of life improved markedly. In addition, some patients, thanks to this treatment, manage to get rid of snoring, and you can wake up with a clear head in the morning, which people who have impaired nasal breathing cannot boast of, because of which well-being is often accompanied by headaches.
Thus, based on the comments, it can be said that, despite the pain of the procedure, the treatment of deviated nose with septoplasty helps people cope with manyhe alth problems.
