NOSE & SINUS

Septoplasty

Septoplasty is performed to straighten a deviated nasal septum. Traditionally, this procedure is done in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital. With improved instrumentation, it is now commonly performed in the office setting.

The procedure typically involves a hidden incision inside the nostril. The mucosa of the septum is elevated from the bone and cartilage. The bone and cartilage is then straightened and the mucosa is returned to it.

Sometimes, the deviation is so severe that an ‘open septoplasty’ is recommended. This procedure involves an incision along the bottom of the nose so that the very edge of the septum and the part of the septum supporting the framework of the nose can be corrected. These procedures can take a bit longer than the traditional septoplasty. The scar made by the incision typically heals extremely well, and is virtually invisible within three to four weeks of the surgery.

Correction of the deviated septum is often performed when needed at the same time as other nasal procedures such as balloon sinuplasty and turbinate reduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Both Balloon Septoplasty and traditional Septoplasty are procedures designed to fix a deviated nasal septum. The goal of these procedures is to increase the airflow through the nose and alleviate nasal obstruction.

In a traditional Septoplasty, the mucosa (lining) of the septum is elevated off of the underlying bone and cartilage. The deviated bone and cartilage are straightened with specially designed instruments. This procedure typically takes 30-60 minutes to perform. Sometimes sutures are used to assist with the straightening techniques.

Balloon Septoplasty utilizes the noninvasive nature of an airway balloon to gently reposition the deviated septum. It is an office procedure performed at the Nose and Sinus Institute of Boca Raton under a light anesthetic so that the patient feels no discomfort. The airway balloon is passed through the nostril and positioned over the area of deviation. It is inflated, deflated, and removed. The procedure is then repeated on the other side. The airway is then inspected for patency. Any persistent bony spurs can be removed directly. By avoiding the extensive dissection of traditional septoplasty, recovery is reduced significantly.

Both the Balloon Septoplasty and traditional Septoplasty procedures may be performed with Balloon Sinuplasty or Turbinate Reduction, depending on your condition.

Understanding the complexities of both the inside and outside of the nose are imperative to providing real, long lasting relief of sinonasal symptoms. Dr. Nathan Nachlas and Dr. Melyssa Hancock have extensive experience in the treatment of the nose and sinuses and thoroughly evaluate every patient prior to recommending a treatment plan.

There are four major areas that are studied in evaluating a patient for nasal obstruction: the nasal valves, the septum, the turbinates, and the sinuses. Dr. Nachlas and Dr. Hancock will thoroughly evaluate each of these areas. Most of the time, nasal obstruction is multifactorial, and each problem is addressed during the same office visit in a painless, minimally invasive fashion to provide relief. Other nose and sinus procedures commonly performed during the same session as the Balloon Septoplasty to provide comprehensive relief include:

Addressing any cosmetic concerns you have about your nose with a Rhinoplasty surgery can also be done during the same operative session. The Nose and Sinus Institute of Boca Raton pioneered the Total Nose Approach™ to sinonasal surgery where all of your functional sinonasal complaints and cosmetic concerns can be addressed during one surgery, with one anesthetic, and one recovery.

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