Rhinoplasty cosmetic surgery is an effective treatment for the common condition of a deviated septum. The surgeon will assess the extent and nature of the septal deviation before creating a customized surgical plan to treat it.
Board certified plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) provide rhinoplasty to patients in Houston, Texas, TX, and surrounding communities.
What is Septum Deviation?
The septum is the wall that bifurcates the nasal cavity into two tapering airways beginning in the upper nasal area where it attaches to the nostrils. The septum is made of various sections of bone and cartilage.
The lower portion of the septum lies on the anterior nasal spine. This supportive bone can be felt in the area where the nose and upper lip connect.
A deviated septum is a condition in which the septum shifts or develops to one side of the nasal cavity rather than dividing it into two uniform airways. The septum can either bend outwards like a bow creating a C-shape or bend to one side in the shape of an S.
To correct the deviated septum, the surgeon will reshape either the septum’s bony upper part located on top of the nose or the cartilaginous lower part of the nose.
At times, the septum may shift off the anterior spine in a condition known as a caudal septal deviation. The surgeon will realign the base of the septum to the anterior nasal spine to correct this condition.
While some people may be born with a deviated septum, others may develop it after a traumatic injury. Regardless of the cause, septal deviation can lead to breathing problems, recurrent nosebleeds, and facial pain. Rhinoplasty plastic surgery is a proven procedure to treat a deviated septum.
Septoplasty Procedure
A septoplasty procedure typically takes between 30 to 90 minutes to complete, depending on the complexity of the surgery. The surgeon will take the decision on whether to use general or local anesthesia beforehand in discussion with the patient.
The surgeon will start the procedure by placing an incision in one area of the nose to access the septum. After that, they will ease the deviated septum into its appropriate position. In addition, the surgeon will remove any unwanted bone or cartilage fragments. They will then reposition the mucous membrane.
The surgeon may place sutures to ensure that the septum and the membrane stay in position. At times, packing the nose will cotton is all it takes to enable the septum and membrane to stay in position.
Recovery
The surgeon will perform septoplasty as an outpatient procedure unless there is a significant complication. In most cases, the patient will be able to return home on the day of the procedure itself. The nose will be swollen, painful, and stuffed with cotton to prevent bleeding.
The surgeon will remove the packing in the next one or two days following the surgery. Cosmetic surgeons at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery receive patients from Houston, Texas, TX, and nearby areas for rhinoplasty.
For more information about The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) physicians and the cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures they perform please click here or call us at 713.799.9999. We have offices in and around Houston, Texas.
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