Do you suffer from frequent nosebleeds? Is your nasal passage obstructed? Do you struggle with adequate airflow? If so, you may be a candidate for septoplasty, or deviated septum surgery. The septum is the wall in the nose that separates the two sides. It is composed of cartilage and bone and measures approximately 3 x 1.5 inches. A straight septum allows for even air flow into both nasal passages. If the septum is deviated, one side of the air flow is obstructed.
When a deviated septum becomes apparent, it is commonly recommended that the repair be delayed until after adolescence when the nose has finished growing. The only way to repair the deviation is with surgery. Dr. Khosh is a sought after facial plastic surgeon with years of septoplasty experience. Prior to any surgery in our New York City office, Dr. Khosh will perform a nasal endoscopy to determine the full extent of the issue and to develop a custom plan for each patient. A septoplasty is done under general anesthesia to maximize comfort. The steps of a septoplasty operation are:
- A small incision is made and Dr. Khosh will remove the mucosal lining that surrounds the septum.
- An incision is made on the septum at the point of deviation.
- The deviated part is removed, and the remaining septum is straightened and stabilized with splints and tubes.
- The mucosal lining is sutured back together and replaced and repositioned around the now-straight septum.
The entire procedure may take from 30 to 90 minutes and does not require an overnight stay. Recovery is typically from three days up to one week. Because Dr. Khosh uses sutures to hold the membrane and septum in place, packing with cotton is not necessary and patients are able to immediately breathe freely.
To schedule a consultation to discuss a deviated septum repair, call our offices today. Dr. Khosh and his entire team look forward to helping you breathe again.
