What is nasal septum repair?
Nasal septum repair is a type of nose surgery. It is sometimes called septoplasty. It fixes the wall of cartilage between the nostrils. This is called the septum.
Doctors usually do this surgery through the inside of the nose. In most cases, no cut is made on the outside of the nose.
To do the surgery, the doctor cuts the outer membrane that lines your nose. Then he or she lifts the membrane away from the cartilage wall. Next, the cartilage is reshaped or moved, or both. Then the doctor puts the membrane back.
After the surgery, you may have splints and packing inside and outside your nose. These help hold the cartilage in place while it heals.
Most people go home a few hours after surgery. You can probably go back to work or school in a few days and your normal routine in about 3 weeks. But this depends on your job and how the surgery went. It may take 1 to 2 months before you feel completely normal again.
After this surgery, your doctor will want to see you again to check how well your nose is healing.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter L834 in the search box to learn more about "Nasal Septum Repair: Before Your Surgery".