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Septoplasty (Submucous Resection)

What Is Septoplasty (Submucous Resection)?

Septoplasty is a corrective procedure used to straigten the narrow wall (septum) that separates the two nasal cavities. Minor deviations impede airflow, while more serious cases often result in chronic sinus problems.  During septoplasty operations, the patient may also require turbinate reduction to enlarge the nasal cavities.  This requires special care to avoid over-resection, which leads to “empty nose syndrome.”  Septoplasties typically take 90 minutes or less to complete.

After applying local or general anesthesia, the surgeon typically excises part of the cartilage or surplus bone to correct the deviation.  Working through the nostrils, the surgeon makes an incision in the septum lining to reach this cartilage.  An "L" strut of cartilage in the dorsal and caudal areas is often left intact to provide structural support to the nose.  The surgeon finally stabilizes the septum using small plastic tubes, sutures, or flexible splints that are held in position in the nose by a stitch through the hole.  These splints are usually removed 7 to 10 days post surgery.   

Many patients experience significant swelling and bruising.  In some cases, the surgeon packs the nasal cavities and tapes a piece of gauze under the nose to absorb excessive bleeding.  This gauze needs to be changed every hour or so.  The bleeding usually stops within 1 to 2 days at which point the nasal packing is removed.  Patients then receive saline irrigations of the nasal cavities.  At this stage, the patient is permitted to gently blow their nose.  They can blow their noses with regular intensity 1 to 2 weeks post surgery.  Most patients can resume normal activity within 1 week of the surgery, while a full recovery typically takes up to 1 month.