To restore the physiology of the nasal cavity, surgical intervention is often performed, the result of which is the correction of the nasal septum. ENT doctors refer many of their patients for an X-ray examination and then for an operation. The problem of the curvature of the nasal septum is very common, but not as trivial as many think. People who let such a situation take its course are more likely than others to suffer from sinusitis, sinusitis, which leads to a lack of oxygen and impaired metabolism in the body.
Causes of the curvature
There are only three main reasons for this problem - genetic, compensatory, or traumatic. Most often, doctors are faced with genetic causes of the curvature of the nasal septum - an abnormal structure of the nasal cavity can develop due to improper intrauterine development of a person.
This is manifested in the displacement or deformation of the bone or cartilage tissue in this area, the appearance of comb-like protrusions, the fusion of certain types of tissue, etc.
Traumatic causes are also common in our time, which naturally can occur with many athletes, the military and other groups of people who have the possibility of a broken nose professionally (or in some other way).
Mechanical action injures the nose (in this case it does not even need to be broken), the nasal septum is displaced, which reduces the inner cavity on one side. This situation is more dangerous in adolescence when bone and cartilage tissues are actively growing. Among the compensatory causes of the curvature of the nasal septum, experts understand the process of growth of adenoids, the appearance of polyps in the nose, frequent swelling in rhinitis, as well as the appearance of piercings or barbells in the nose.
What is the operation for?
If the rhinoplasty is purely aesthetic and cosmetic, and affects only the external factor, then the surgery to correct the nasal septum contains a large list of medical prescriptions.
Such surgical intervention can correct the shape of the nose, but first of all it is necessary to restore the health of the organ, and not its beauty.
If such an operation is not performed on time, serious health complications can arise, including:
- Violation of the correctness of nasal breathing, which is manifested in the fact that it is difficult for a person to breathe air through the nose;
- Disruption in the nasal cavity of air dynamics; Impairment of the protective functions of the mucous membrane;
- the appearance of oxygen starvation in the body; the appearance of sneezing, spasms in the larynx and other reflex disorders;
- frequent migraines;
- the appearance of somatic cough.
Indications and contraindications for the operation
The operation to correct the curvature of the nasal septum is performed after a thorough examination of the patient. To begin such an examination, the doctor needs to analyze the oral complaints that he may hear from the patient.
For example, you can think about such a diagnosis with frequent rhinitis or sinusitis, blockage of the function of one of the patient's nostrils, changes in the shape of the nose, the appearance of nosebleeds, frequent allergic reactions and nighttime snoring. If there are two or more similar complaints, a fluoroscopy is prescribed, with the help of which the diagnosis is confirmed or refuted. The X-ray visualizes the type of deformity as well as its type and shape.
Having received this information, the specialist can determine which operation to perform in this particular case. Sometimes the diagnosis is done using rhinoscopy without an X-ray.
The main indications for surgical intervention to correct the nasal septum are pronounced deformities, internal cysts, aneurysms in this area, or even the patient's complaints about a sharp deterioration in well-being. An indication for surgery is also a metabolic disorder caused by a lack of oxygen, often persistent sinusitis, rhinitis, difficulty breathing through the nose and the transition to breathing through the mouth.
All symptoms and diseases of the upper respiratory tract with a curvature of the nasal septum are very closely related.
Difficulty breathing is caused by the narrowing of the nasal cavity, which also increases the likelihood of bacteria entering the nasal passages. Because of this, people suffering from sinusitis, rhinitis and other diseases in this area are more likely than others to suffer from severe sinusitis, which turns into a chronic stage. All of the above diseases cause painful sensations in the head and upper part of the face. Such symptoms are the reason for an immediate consultation of a doctor.
With resections of the pituitary tumor, it is also possible to perform operations to restore the nasal septum. This is made possible through the use of a transseptal transphenoidal approach. Surgical intervention of this type is also performed in cosmetic rhinoplasty, since in this case donor cartilage is required, the source of which can be the nasal septum.
There aren't too many contraindications to such a surgical procedure. You cannot do such an operation for pregnant women, nursing mothers with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer in old age.
It is also impossible to perform an intervention with excessive perforation of the septum, cocaine addiction, Wegener's granulomatosis, malignant lymphoma, and T and B cell proliferation. In this case, you can consult a doctor for correction of the nasal septum with a laser.
Variety of surgical interventions
If a severe curvature of the nasal septum is noted, surgery is recommended as soon as possible. This will determine the general well-being and state of health of the patient in the future. In this case, the operation can be performed in two ways - by submucosal resection or by endoscopic septoplasty.
The classic technique of nasal septal correction is submucosal resection. In this case, the surgeon makes a small arcuate incision in the front of the septal cartilage, dissects the lining, and then dissects the curved cartilage. Then the cartilage is separated from the perichondrium with a special tool, the parts to be corrected are removed while the upper level of the cartilage is not affected.
The bony septum is removed with special instruments, the upper layer of the mucous membrane, periosteum and perichondrium is fixed and fixed with cotton swabs. During this operation, no stitches are applied to the face due to the rapid regeneration ability of the operated tissue.
A deformed nasal septum can be healed more gently - with the help of endoscopic septoplasty.
This modern technique, using an intranasal endoscope, diagnoses deformed areas and their nature, and helps remove anything unnecessary through micro-incisions in the mucous membrane. Together with an endoscope, this technique uses microsurgical instruments and a computer monitor that shows the entire course of the operation.
In modern medicine, they prefer the second method of operation, although both are very effective. Endoscopy helps to avoid increased trauma and complications and promotes the early restoration of all nasal functions.
As complications and side effects with any type of intervention, bleeding in the nasal mucosa, the appearance of bleeding, abscesses, abscesses, as well as purulent sinusitis and deformations are possible.
During the short postoperative period, it is necessary to wear turundas for support and recovery, as well as a gauze bandage around the nose. The patient can only breathe through the mouth until the fourth or fifth day, when nasal breathing is allowed to recover.
During the entire time after the operation, the specialist monitors the patient, removes blood crusts and rinses the nose. Often times, doctors prescribe pain relievers because the nose can hurt. Antibiotics are given if there is a risk of wound infection. After the patient is discharged from the hospital, they must be monitored weekly by an ENT doctor to monitor the progress of wound healing and restore the health of the nose. At the same time, except for the special order of the doctor, you can not engage in physical activity or eat pepper.
In addition to two surgical techniques for restoring the nasal septum, there is also a laser technique for non-surgical interventions. With laser septoplasty, the vessels are glued together when the mucous membrane is cut so that no sutures have to be created after such a treatment. After this therapy you no longer have to stay in the hospital, the operation itself is carried out on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. One hour after the laser correction, the patient can leave the hospital walls.