The cartilage and bone that divides the left and right airways in the nasal cavities are known as the nasal septum. Since it makes it possible for the air we breathe in to enter our lungs smoothly, it should ideally run along the middle.
It is natural for some forms of nasal deviation to happen. However, severe imbalances can be quickly addressed by performing a straightforward treatment to straighten the crooked septum. These imbalances will result in one-sided (unilateral) nasal difficulties. The septum is repositioned in the midline during surgery to repair the septal deviation. This procedure is known as Septoplasty. Septoplasty surgery in Singapore is done through the nose without any external cuts on the nose or face.
If not treated, it will lead to
A flexible nasal endoscope, a small telescope with a camera attached, is commonly used to inspect the nasal cavity and nasopharynx to assess the severity of the deviated septum. Often, a diagnosis will be made based on your symptoms. The diagnosis will determine if the patient has to undergo deviated septum correction surgery.
Septoplasty surgery is performed under general anaesthesia in the operating theatre, so it will not hurt during the procedure.
After the anaesthesia wears off, you may experience some tenderness on the front of your nose, but there will not be any pain.
The lining of the nose is always swollen after the deviated septum surgery, therefore, your nose will feel blocked. Blowing your nose will not clear it. This will resolve after a few days. The external area of the nose will not be swollen or bruised and there will not be any nasal cap on the area either.
There will be dissolvable stitches so there is no need to remove any stitches after the surgery.
There will NOT be any packing in your nose for the majority of cases that I perform. Only on very rare occasions, do I put nasal packing in the nose.
You will be able to breathe through your nose immediately in operation, as I do not use nasal packing in the majority of my cases.
You should avoid smoking and avoid contact with people who have colds or similar infections. Do not swim for two weeks after the surgery.
You should avoid doing straining exercises, lifting and bending for at least 14 days as these activities may promote bleeding. Life exercise such as walking is encouraged.
Deviated septum surgery is performed to correct a deviated nasal septum. They are done to address functional issues, including obstructions to airflow through the nostrils. It is not a cosmetic procedure. Most insurers cover this surgery as a medical procedure. It is best to confirm this with your insurer on your coverage for this procedure.
Your doctor will determine if you need one or both procedures.
If the deviated septum is mostly internal and functional, septoplasty would be sufficient. Rhinoplasty is a surgery to change the appearance of the nose. It is a cosmetic procedure.
There are a few components in the cost of every surgery. There are surgeon fees, anaesthetist fees, and operating theatre charges which will depend on the hours in surgery, equipment used, medications used during surgery, ward charges, etc. Thus it is not possible to quote a fee for the surgery without first examining the patient to understand the amount of work that needs to be done for the correction.
The cost of a first consultation is $180, nasal endoscopy $270. This is in Singapore dollars, and it is subjected to 8% government taxes. This visit is considered a Day Surgery. Medisave and integrated shield policy (subjected to coverage) could be utilised to cover the cost of the first visit for Singaporeans/Permanent Residents. Hospitalisation and surgical policies (subjected to coverage) could also be used on a reimbursement basis.
Dr Kevin Soh describes the many causes of a blocked nose in this video. He uses captivating graphics and videos as illustrations. Understand swollen adenoids, nasal polyps, and a deviated nasal septum.