Breathing problems, snoring, constant colds - these are not all the consequences that may appear as a result of nasal septum deformity. Naturally, if a problem appears, then it must be corrected. There are several methods to eliminate the disease, but first you need to figure out why the pathology appears.
Causes of the development of the disease and its consequences
So, before an operation is performed to correct the nasal septum, it is necessary to determine the factors that contributed to the appearance of the problem. Among the causes of the disease, the following can be distinguished:
- Injury to the nose. This reason is the most common and frequently occurring.
- Some inflammatory processes or diseases of the nasopharynx.
- Incorrect bone development.
Naturally, the correction of the nasal septum should be carried out necessarily only after the growth of bones has stopped. That is, the intervention is allowed to be carried out after the patient reaches the age of majority. If the operation is not performed, then this pathology will lead to negative consequences: sinusitis, frequentbleeding, shortness of breath, inflammation of the airways, and even reduced mental activity.
Symptomatics
Before the operation to correct the nasal septum is performed, the doctor must take a complete medical history of the patient. This disease is accompanied by some symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose.
- Frequent rhinitis and sinusitis.
- Talking in the nose is characteristic of this disease.
- Bleeding.
- Headaches.
- Snoring.
Of course, the diagnosis should be made by an ENT. This is not done on its own, because the presented signs may indicate other serious pathologies.
Septoplasty: benefits and indications
There are few methods for correcting the nasal septum, and all of them involve surgery. It can be carried out both with traditional surgical instruments and with a laser. Among the advantages of the first method, the following are distinguished:
- Low cost.
- Quick swipe.
- High efficiency.
However, the correction of the nasal septum with the use of surgical instruments involves a certain period of recovery, which is painful. In addition, the procedure in question can have negative consequences: inflammation of the mucous membrane, infection inwound.
One should also consider those indications that make such an operation possible:
- Patient snoring.
- Recurrent respiratory and nasal infections.
- Allergy.
- Frequent bleeding.
Features of surgical intervention
The operation of correcting the nasal septum, reviews of which are both positive and not very good, is carried out according to a certain technology. It involves the following stages of work:
- Introduction of local or general anesthesia (the latter option is most often used).
- Incision of the mucous membrane and skin of the nose (it can be carried out both inside and outside). For this, a special tool is used - an endoscope.
- Septum straightening. In this case, fragments of cartilage or bones can be moved, as well as the installation of artificial implants. The procedure lasts about sixty minutes (depending on the complexity of the problem).
- Also, the operation to correct the nasal septum involves suturing with a special thread, which dissolves on its own after a while.
- Installation of cotton swabs in the nasal passages.
- Fixation of the operated organ with a special plaster cast.
It should be noted that laser septum resurfacing is currently preferred as it has certain advantages.
Advantages of laser surgery
Of course, there is an alternative way to deal with the problem. However, it also involves surgery. Compared with the previous method, laser correction of the nasal septum has great advantages. Among them, we highlight the following:
- High efficiency of the procedure.
- Reducing the time to restore normal breathing, that is, the rehabilitation period is short.
- After the operation, you can leave the clinic on the second day.
- Laser procedure is virtually free of swelling and bruising. In addition, pain is minimized.
- Great functionality (elimination of the problem not only in the bone, but also in the cartilage).
Correction of the nasal septum with a laser requires less time. Naturally, such a procedure has its indications. First of all, it is a deterioration in breathing. In addition, the method under consideration is used in case of severe snoring and frequent nosebleeds in a patient, with persistent sinusitis, sinusitis and other diseases of the nasopharynx. As you can see, such an intervention is carried out for many problems.
Contraindications
Of course, surgery to correct the nasal septum can be performed if the doctor allows it to be done. However, there are some contraindications that 100% prohibit the use of a laser as a working tool:
- Impaired circulation. If you have poor blood clotting, then it is unlikely that the doctor will allow you to take such a risk. The fact is that during the procedure, extensive bleeding may open, which will lead to serious complications or even death.
- Infectious and inflammatory processes, as well as oncological diseases in the acute stage.
- Diabetes. This pathology also leads to poor blood clotting.
- Hypertension (constant jumps and high blood pressure).
What complications can occur during and after surgery?
Any surgical intervention involves certain risks of unforeseen situations. Naturally, if the specialists are experienced, and the equipment used is high-class, the occurrence of complications is minimized. However, you must be aware of them. So, during and after the operation, the following complications may occur:
- Perforation of the nasal septum.
- Exacerbation of inflammatory processes inside the cavity, such as sinusitis.
- Postoperative bleeding.
- Septal hematomas.
Of course, with the skillful conduct of the operation, such problems should not arise. However, if they appeared after you left the clinic, then be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible. The only natural complications are swelling, which will subside after a few days.
Preventive measures after surgery
After the intervention, it is imperative to follow all the advice of specialists so that rehabilitation is as quick and painless as possible:
- Try to avoid physical activity whenever possible, especially in the first days after the procedure.
- Don't eat hot food.
- After a nasal septum repair, try to get out of bed as little as possible.
- Do not blow your nose for seven to ten days after the intervention.
- You should only sneeze with your mouth open. Otherwise, bleeding may occur.
- Don't take medications that interfere with blood clotting, such as those containing acetylsalicylic acid.
- After removing the tampons, it is necessary to disinfect the nasal passages with saline spray and cauterize the vessels with a silver solution.
