Nasal Septum Deviation

The nasal septum is hard tissue located along almost the entire length of the nose, in its center, dividing it into two long canals – the nostrils. The septum is a relatively sensitive bone and cartilage surface, which could be deviated due to an external blow or abnormal development. If the septum deviates, it could impair the function and the external appearance of the nose, requiring surgical intervention.

At Herzliya Medical Center Hospital, extensive experience has been accumulated in nasal surgery, including nasal septum repair surgery, performed by some of the most highly ranked expert physicians in Israel.

The structure of the nasal septum and the reasons for the change in its structure

The nasal septum is made up of two parts: the upper part is, in fact, the front, protruding portion of the ethmoid bone, which is in the center of the skull, while the lower part is cartilage. Underlying these two is the vomer bone, which serves as the base, the surface that stabilizes the entire nasal septum. Bypassing a finger along the septum, one can easily feel the difference between the hard bone in the upper part and the more flexible cartilage in the lower part.

The septum is enveloped by a layer of mucosa, the nasal mucosa, and as mentioned above, it separates the two canals of the nose – the nostrils. Normally, it thus enables the unimpeded passage of air through the two nostrils into the body. When the septum deviates, or when a hole forms in it (usually in its cartilage portion), this will impair the passage of air through the nose and cause many health problems.

What are the causes of the development of defects of the nasal septum?

• External trauma
• Birth defect
• Abnormal development of the septum during childhood and adolescence
• Drug use (drug “sniffing”, for example, could cause holes to develop in the septum)

The importance of nasal septum repair surgery

Quite a few nose operations also include procedures to repair the nasal septum. There are therefore many patients who view repair of the shape of the nasal septum as being of aesthetic value only and are unaware of the importance of this to health.

But nasal septum repair surgery is of very great importance to health. Apart from the difficulty with proper breathing through the nose and the esthetic disfigurement, nasal septum deviation could also cause recurrent sinusitis, impaired nose shape, complete occlusion of passage through the nostrils (“blocked nose”), snoring and sleep apnea.

The quality of air that passes through the nose is of great importance to the function of the entire body. The structure of the nose and of its internal parts ensure that the air’s temperature and humidity will be exactly at the required level. Damage to any part of the nose – especially the septum, which is one of the largest and most significant parts of this organ – will significantly impair the quality of the air.

Nasal septum repair surgery is therefore not merely an operation of cosmetic importance only, nor should it be regarded as such. Only a surgeon with extensive knowledge of otolaryngology will be the appropriate person to perform the operation, at the completion of which the quality of the air flowing through the nose will be very high, exactly at the required level.

How is nasal septum correction surgery performed?

Currently, most operations performed in the nose itself do not involve incision of the facial skin. The entire operation is performed using an endoscope – a tiny tube with a camera at its end, which broadcasts an image of the inside of the nose to a screen located in front of the surgeon’s eyes. In the same way, the surgeon can carry out all the needed surgical procedures, without any decrement to the standard of the operation.

In accordance with the shape of the septum and the manner in which it is flawed, a decision will be made as to how the operation is to be performed. On occasion, the surgeon will decide to simply straighten the septum, and in other instances, he will file the bone, alter the shape of the cartilage by heating it, or remove a portion of the problematic tissue. The entire operation takes approximately one-and-a-half hours, usually under local anesthesia.

Recovery from nasal septum repair surgery

Nose operations to repair the septum do not necessitate prolonged hospitalization. The patient will be released to his home on the same day, or at the latest, the morning after the operation, as decided by the clinical team. On the same day, the patient will already be able to gradually resume eating.

In the first few days after the operation, eat soft, lukewarm food. In the first two weeks afterward, it is important not to expose the nose to the sun, and of course not to perform any strenuous physical activity. Resumption of normal activity, including regular normal nutrition, will be possible up to two weeks from the day of the operation.

For advice and further information, contact us at telephone: +972-9-959-4888, or leave your details and we will get back to you promptly.