A septorhinoplasty combines the benefits of a septoplasty and rhinoplasty in one.
A deviated septum can disrupt many aspects of your everyday life. Simple tasks like exercising or sleeping can become challenging. You also can develop side effects of a deviated septum like snoring and mouth breathing.
Rather than live with this condition, you can have it repaired through a surgery called a septoplasty. When the overall appearance of the nose is corrected in the same procedure, it’s called a septoplasty.
What is Septorhinoplasty?
Septorhinoplasty is a surgical procedure that is performed to repair a deviated septum while also performing a rhinoplasty. It is done on an outpatient basis in most cases. It also is performed under general sedation.
The entire operation can take as long as two hours. Still, once it is completed, you should notice an immediate improvement in your ability to breathe out of both sides of your nose.
If your deviated septum affected your appearance, you should also notice that your nose is now straight. The tip of your nose could be less bulbous and more refined.
The underlying basis of this surgery involves improving a patient’s ability to breathe normally. However, it can also a person’s confidence in his or her appearance.
How is a Septorhinoplasty Performed?
A septorhinoplasty is performed only when the patient is fully sedated. After the patient is asleep, the surgeon will make an incision in the mucosa or skin-like lining of the nose. Once the incision is made, the surgeon will then lift off the cartilage and bone in the septum.
He or she will remove the portion of the cartilage that causes the deviation. The surgeon will then put the remaining bone and tissue back into a straight position.
While the incision is still open, the surgeon also may reshape the tip of the nose by reshaping the cartilage there. If there is a hump on the septum, it will be shaved down. Likewise, if necessary, the surgeon will break and reset the nasal bones to correct the deviation and improve the appearance of the entire nose.
The incision is then closed, and the nose is packed with gauze to stop the bleeding. The patient is then taken to a recovery room to awaken from anesthesia.
Septorhinoplasty Recovery
After you awaken from anesthesia, you will remain under observation for a few hours to ensure that you do not have complications like excessive pain, fever, or bleeding. You will be given instructions to follow once you go home from the Nasal & Sinus Surgery Center.
Your entire recovery can be up to two weeks. During that time, you should avoid contact with anyone who has a cold. You could develop an infection from cold viruses.
You also should avoid strenuous exercising as well as bending over and taking hot baths. Your swelling and bruising should dissipate within three weeks.