Septoplasty and Submucous Resection (Septum Surgery)
This document will give you information about a septoplasty and
a submucous resection. If you have any questions, you should ask
your GP or other relevant health professional.
What is a deviated nasal septum?
The septum is the cartilage and bone inside the nose that
divides the nostrils (see figure 1).
Figure 1 Facial skull showing a straight nasal septum
The septum is usually straight but it can be deviated (bent),
causing symptoms of a blocked nose. A septoplasty and a submucous
resection are operations to correct a deviated nasal septum.
What are the benefits of surgery?
Your septum will be straight which should relieve your symptoms
of a blocked nose.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Surgery is recommended as it is the only dependable way to cure
the condition. The condition will not go away without an
operation.
What does the operation involve?
The operation is performed through your nostrils and does not
result in any facial scars or black eyes.
A septoplasty and submucous resection are usually performed
under a general anaesthetic but a local anaesthetic can be
used.
Your surgeon will make a cut in the lining of the nose. They
will remove the parts of the cartilage and bone that are bent and
put the rest back in a straight position.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Developing a haematoma or abscess
- Injury to nerves
- Change to the shape of the nose
- Making a hole in the septum
How soon will I recover?
You will usually be kept in hospital overnight although
occasionally you will be able to go home the same day. If you had
some packing in your nose, it will be removed on the morning after
your operation.
You will need to stay off work and away from groups of people
for two weeks after the operation. This is to avoid catching a
cold, which could result in an infection.
Most people make a full recovery and can return to normal
activities. Occasionally the deviation comes back because the
cartilage can gradually return to its original position.
Summary
Surgery will result in you having a straight septum which should
relieve your symptoms of a blocked nose. However, no serious
complications can happen if a deviated septum is left
untreated.
Acknowledgements
Author: Miss Ruth Capper MD FRCS (ORL-HNS)
Illustrations: LifeART image copyright 2006 Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins. All rights reserved.
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.