Septoplasty: A Century-Old Solution for Deviated Septums
A deviated septum, a common nasal condition, occurs when the nasal septum, the wall dividing the nose, is displaced. This can cause difficulty breathing, frequent nosebleeds, and facial pain. Septoplasty, a surgical procedure, corrects this issue and improves airflow. It's usually an outpatient procedure, with patients returning home the same day.
During septoplasty, the surgeon makes an incision, lifts the mucous membrane, repositions the septum, removes barriers, and repositions the membrane. The procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Before surgery, patients may need to stop taking certain medications like aspirin and ibuprofen to reduce bleeding risk. Recovery involves avoiding blood-thinning medications, limiting physical activity, and following doctor's instructions.
The history of septoplasty dates back to the 19th century. Early contributors include Friedrich Ernst von Gebriacket, who performed the first nasal septum removal in 1838. Modern techniques are a result of continuous development and improvement by various surgeons and otolaryngologists over centuries. Today, it's a standard procedure performed by qualified ENT surgeons or plastic surgeons to improve nasal breathing and alleviate associated symptoms.
Septoplasty, while effective, carries risks such as bleeding, scarring, septum perforation, altered nose shape, discoloration, and decreased sense of smell. Despite these, it remains a popular and successful treatment for deviated septums, improving patients' quality of life.
