• Septum: Bony cartilage wall in the midline of the nose, supports and guides airflow. A deviated septum can hinder breathing and drainage, leading to sinus infections.
• Symptoms include nose block, nosebleeds, facial pain, headache, post-nasal drip, loud breathing, and snoring during sleep.

Procedure:

• Usually performed under general anesthesia, takes about 30 minutes.
• Procedures involved may include:
  • Diathermy: Electric current passed through a needle to heat and destroy tissue.
  • Trimming: Removing part of the turbinate, including bone, and covering exposed areas with tissue.

Post-Procedure:

• Patients may experience:
  • Swelling of the nose, eyes, cheeks, or upper lip.
  • Discomfort and numbness in the nose tip, gums, or upper lip.
  • Blood-stained fluid for up to two weeks.
• Recommendations for patients:
  • Avoid strenuous activities, hard chewing, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Soft diet as tolerated.
  • Avoid straining during bowel movements or exercise.
  • Follow instructions on nasal packing, irrigation, and post-operative care.
  • Contact the surgeon immediately for increased bleeding, fever, pain, or swelling.

Complications:

• Numbness of facial structures.
• Return of blocked nose symptoms.
• Septal perforation.
• Chronic nasal drainage.
• Change in sense of smell or taste.